Trump's Hush Money Trial Starts in March, Haley Highlights 'Chaos'

The trial date set by a New York judge for former President Donald Trump's hush money case is providing Nikki Haley with additional ammunition.

Haley argued on Thursday that the ongoing legal battles involving Donald Trump will only lead to more losses for Republicans up and down the ticket. She pointed out that Trump has a trial starting March 25, and there will be a verdict on another case tomorrow. Meanwhile, he is spending millions of campaign donations on legal fees.

Haley, a former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador, is the last major rival challenging Trump for the GOP nomination in the 2024 presidential race, but she faces a significant challenge against the commanding frontrunner.

After a New York City judge rejected Trump's request to dismiss the indictment, Haley made her comments.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, the former president was accused of falsifying business records in New York and faced 34 counts related to alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, an adult-film actress.

Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, brought charges against the former president, who has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors contend that the payments were an attempt to conceal a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 election.

A former president will face criminal charges in the country's first trial of a former president.

Trump declared in court, "I am present for a matter, which is not a crime, specifically election interference, orchestrated by Joe Biden's White House."

He emphasized that it is a "dire moment for our nation. An extremely challenging era."

This year, Trump is facing four trials, including two related to his attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden.

Trump's legal entanglements have led Haley to repeatedly label him as "unhinged," arguing that chaos will ensue if he returns to the White House. Furthermore, Haley has emphasized that she is a stronger GOP nominee than Trump in general election polls, positioning herself as a formidable opponent to Biden in November.

Juan Merchan, the judge in the hush money case, stated that the trial could take five to six weeks and may conclude in late April or early May.

Trump stated before the ruling on Thursday that he believed he should be campaigning rather than being in court.

During the trial, when asked about his campaign plans, Trump responded, "I'll campaign in the evening."