Donald Trump: How long will the presidential candidate's court case go on and what impact will it have on his campaign?

Donald Trump will have to campaign from a courtroom, but it could be an advantage for the Republican candidate

When Donald Trump arrived at court at the start of the Stormy Daniels trial for the first time, he did not miss the opportunity to address the American public.

He branded the trial a "persecution," adding that it was "an assault on America". "Nobody has ever seen anything like it," he proclaimed.

In a characteristic style contrary to the more subdued persona he portrayed inside the courtroom, Mr Trump clearly wanted to use the chance to address the American public in lieu of the usual campaign rallies and other political events he should be attending in the months before the presidential elections, where he is running for the Republican party.

Former US President Donald Trump walks out of the courtroom following the first day of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday.

The former president has been told by judge Juan M Merchan that he will need to be present for the hush money trial, which is due to run for at least six weeks. The period is key for Mr Trump as a presidential candidate, falling just seven months before the election in a country where campaigns run long ahead of the vote.

He has already asked for an exemption – and been refused it – to attend Supreme Court deliberations on presidential immunity next week, while whether he will be allowed to attend his son’s graduation ceremony in June still remains up in the air.

"I will see him here next week,” Judge Merchan firmly told Mr Trump’s legal team.

While the case gives Mr Trump an opportunity to ensure his usual showboating is reported in the US media every day, it means he will be prohibited from continuing his campaign as normal. However, whether this will be a help or a hindrance remains to be seen.

Get a daily digest of news from around the globe with The World Explained newsletter

While Mr Trump’s staff has organised many other events on weekends and on Wednesdays, when court is not supposed to be in session, the plans have already been thrown into uncertainty after Judge Merchan suggested Wednesdays could be added to the schedule if the case falls behind the proposed timescales.

Mr Trump is facing multiple legal cases, including four criminal trials – but this latest case is likely to be the only one still to be tried before the presidential election in November.

He has already had to campaign from courtrooms since his declaration to stand as a presidential candidate – at his civil fraud trial as well as a defamation case brought by the writer E Jean Carroll, who accused him of rape.

The former US president has also said he would be happy to serve as president from behind bars – something which is technically possible under US law.

On Monday, potential jurors were quizzed by the judge, with more than 50 of the potential pool of 900 dismissed – some on grounds relating to their existing opinions or experience of Mr Trump.

One question asked of potential jurors was: "Do you have any strong opinions or firmly held beliefs about former President Donald Trump, or the fact that he is a current candidate for president that would interfere with your ability to be a fair and impartial juror?"

"Yes,” answered one woman. The jury selection process is expected to continue for the rest of this week.