Trump to Face Trial in April Ahead of November Election
The decision to hold the trial in April increases the likelihood that former President Trump will face at least one more ruling – potentially complicating his efforts to run for the White House again on November 5th.
At a New York court on February 25th, a separate ruling helped “alleviate the financial burden” on Trump as he tries to build a campaign fund and preserve his real estate empire. This dual ruling highlights the legal risks that the Republican presidential candidate must face in his attempt to reclaim the White House from Democratic President Joe Biden.
In the “hush money” case, Trump is accused of altering his business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 US Presidential election. Trump’s lawyers argue that this payment was intended to protect him and his family from embarrassment, not to secure victory in the election.
After Judge Juan Mercan set Trump’s trial date for April 15th, the former president boasted that the case could boost his campaign. He told reporters at one of his nearby facilities, “It could also make me more famous because people will know it’s a political hoax.”
Trump accuses Biden of conducting a “witch hunt” against him, alleging judicial corruption without providing any evidence.
Republican strategists believe that voters are familiar with Trump’s norm-breaking behavior, but a criminal conviction could affect his ability to win over swing voters who decide elections.
Opinion polls conducted by Reuters/Ipsos show that 25% of Republicans and half of independent voters say they would not vote for Trump if the impeachment jury finds him guilty of a serious offense.
Former President Trump also faces two criminal trials accusing him of attempting to overturn his 2020 election defeat to Biden, and another trial alleging mishandling of classified documents after leaving the White House in 2021.
Trump has denied all allegations against him.