Donald Trump dismissed the hush money case against him as a “scam,” as the first day of the trial concluded without selecting any jurors, with some admitting their inability to be impartial.
The trial, held in Manhattan, New York, primarily dealt with motion arguments from both the defense and prosecution, alongside the jury selection process.
However, despite a pool of 200 potential jurors, none were seated on the first day, as they underwent a comprehensive 42-question survey covering their news consumption, hobbies, and travel capabilities.
Over half of the initial group were excused after expressing their inability to remain impartial, with one dismissed candidate overheard expressing, “I just couldn’t do it,” according to NBC News.
The arduous task of selecting 12 jurors and six alternates is expected to extend up to two weeks due to the extensive pool of prospective jurors.
Trump faces accusations of criminally altering business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) during his 2016 presidential campaign, alongside similar allegations involving former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who received $150,000.
While Trump’s legal team contends the payments were aimed at averting embarrassment for himself and his family rather than influencing the election, the former president labeled the trial a “political witch hunt” and decried the lack of a fair trial.
Leaving the courtroom, Trump, the first ex-US president to undergo a criminal trial, expressed his frustration, emphasizing, “It’s a scam… It continues, and it continues forever.”
During the proceedings, Trump offered a tight-lipped smirk to prospective jurors as he was introduced as the defendant, while his defense unsuccessfully sought the judge’s recusal, citing a prior interview and his daughter’s employment in a political consultancy firm as potential conflicts of interest.
Judge Juan M Merchan rejected the defense’s plea, highlighting the absence of evidence substantiating a conflict. He also deferred a decision on Trump’s request to attend US Supreme Court arguments on presidential immunity on April 25 and another to take May 17 off for his son’s high school graduation.
