"Judge Criticizes Trump's Attempt to Delay Hush Money Trial Over Publicity Complaints"

Judge Juan Merchan denied Donald Trump's bid to delay the hush money trial due to pretrial publicity, emphasizing that much of the publicity has been caused by Trump himself. The trial remains on track for Monday jury selection, with the judge yet to rule on a defense request for his recusal. Trump's defense argued that prejudicial media coverage has biased potential jurors, but the judge and prosecutors countered that Trump's own rhetoric has contributed to the publicity, and that jury selection will weed out biased prospective jurors. Trump is set to become the first former president to stand trial on criminal charges, with prosecutors alleging he falsified business records to hide a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, a claim he denies.