Ex-US president Donald Trump has used his legal woes to rally support for his latest White House run
AFP

Former President Donald Trump finds himself entangled in a high-stakes confrontation with the district attorney's office over the timing of his impending hush money trial. The latest development sees prosecutors vehemently opposing Trump's bid to delay the trial, scheduled to commence on April 15, citing an onslaught of media scrutiny surrounding the case.

According to ABC News, the Manhattan district attorney's office, represented by assistant district attorney Matthew Colangelo, underscored the irony of Trump's predicament, contending that the bulk of tColangelo rebuked Trump's assertions, arguing that the former president's persistent rhetoric actively fuels the media attention he now seeks to evade. This stance mirrors the sentiments expressed in court documents released by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, which rebuffed Trump's call for a postponement, labeling it as part of a broader strategy aimed at stalling the trial.

Trump's legal team, led by attorney Todd Blanche, mounted a vigorous defense, contending that the pervasive media coverage has tainted the pool of potential jurors, imperiling Trump's right to a fair trial. They pointed to a media study and polling data purporting to show widespread belief in Trump's guilt among Manhattan residents, further bolstering their plea for an indefinite adjournment.

However, The Hill reported that prosecutors remained steadfast, asserting that Trump's motion lacked merit and was riddled with inaccuracies. They expressed confidence in the judiciary's ability to impanel an impartial jury, dismissing Trump's assertions as unfounded attempts to undermine the integrity of the legal process.

At the heart of the legal saga lies Trump's plea of not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records, with prosecutors alleging a concerted effort to conceal payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Despite the mounting legal challenges, Trump maintains his innocence, denouncing the allegations as politically motivated maneuvers.