By Aaron Miller-
Jury selection in Donald Trump’s first criminal trial will begin on 25 March, the judge in his New York hush money case .
Justice Juan Merchan announced the court date after dismissing Trump’s motion to have the case dismissed.
The former U.S president is accused of hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016.
Daniels says she was paid $130,000 (£103,000) in 2016 to keep quiet after having sex with Trump.
But she reneged on their agreement and spilled the beans following he former president’s bid to get into office, which he eventually achieved. The revelation raised Daniel’s profile, affording her several interviews and producing an increased number of gigs for her.
The former president is also accused of falsifying his business records by saying the payment was for legal fees and is facing 34 counts of fraud under campaign finance laws, and has
Daniels herself failed in a bid to sue Trump for defamation of character after he accused her of lying about the allegation.
The court date was revealed as the American public awaits a ruling from Judge Arthur Engoron about a verdict in Donald Trump’s New York civil fraud trial on Friday that could see the former president hit with millions of dollars in fines and sanctions.
The justice has already ruled that Mr Trump inflated his wealth on financial statements that were given to banks and insurers to make deals and secure favourable loans.
New York attorney general Letitia James is looking to secure a $370m fine against Trump plus a ban on the defendant and his fellow Trump Organization executives from doing business in the state.