Former President Donald Trump is facing multiple legal battles, with a hearing scheduled in a Manhattan court for his delayed “hush money” case. The trial has been postponed until at least April 15 after Trump’s attorneys requested more time to review newly disclosed evidence. The case against Trump alleges that he covered up $310,000 in “hush money” payments made before the 2016 election to keep porn star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal from revealing their relationships with him.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case against Trump is the first of four criminal cases to head to trial and marks the first-ever criminal trial of a former US president. Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts in his Manhattan criminal case and is expected to have his former fixer, Michael Cohen, as a key witness. The case has garnered significant attention, with Trump facing a $454 million fraud bond deadline in a separate New York civil fraud case brought by state Attorney General Letitia James in 2022. Trump has been unsuccessful in securing a bond covering the massive civil fraud judgment and may risk losing assets such as Trump Tower if he fails to meet the deadline.
The $454 million bond deadline in the civil fraud case brought by Attorney General Letitia James adds another layer of legal pressure on Trump. Following a three-month bench trial in February, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron ordered the judgment after prosecutors argued that Trump inflated his net worth on financial statements to obtain better loans and insurance. If Trump fails to meet the deadline, James can seize some of his high-value assets, including Trump Tower. Struggling to secure the bond amount, Trump has asked for support from his followers as he navigates this legal challenge.
The delays in Trump’s criminal trial related to the “hush money” case have sparked speculation about the impact on the eventual outcome. With hundreds of documents being reviewed and the trial postponed until April 15, the legal team representing Trump is under pressure to prepare a strong defense. The case has drawn attention due to allegations of “hush money” payments aimed at concealing Trump’s extramarital affairs and potential legal repercussions for the former president. Trump’s interactions with his former fixer, Michael Cohen, who is expected to testify against him, further complicate the legal proceedings.
Trump’s upcoming appearance in Manhattan Supreme Court for his “hush money” case represents a critical moment in his legal battles. The trial, set to be one of four criminal cases against Trump, has raised questions about the former president’s legal strategies and the potential consequences of the allegations against him. As Trump faces mounting legal challenges and financial obligations, including the $454 million fraud bond deadline, the outcome of these cases could have far-reaching implications for his future. With the spotlight on Trump’s legal troubles, the upcoming court hearing will likely attract significant attention from the media and the public.
