Former President Donald Trump's attempt to delay his criminal trial in New York related to a "hush money" payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels has been rejected by Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan. Trump had requested the trial be postponed until after the U.S. Supreme Court rules on his claim of presidential immunity in another criminal case. The trial is set to begin on April 15, and Merchan deemed Trump's request “untimely” as his lawyers had ample time to raise the issue before the motion was filed in March.

Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsification of business records tied to payments reimbursing his former attorney Michael Cohen for the $130,000 payment to Daniels. Despite denying any wrongdoing and an affair with Daniels, Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trial was initially scheduled for March 25 but was delayed due to a dispute over documents provided by prosecutors.

This denial of Trump's bid to delay the trial removes a major obstacle to the prosecution of a former American president and comes amidst his campaign for the White House. Trump is also facing criminal cases in Florida, Washington, D.C., and Georgia, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to as well. The judge's decision in Manhattan signifies a significant development in Trump's legal battles as he continues to navigate multiple criminal cases while seeking a return to the presidency.