Trump’s court cameo will continue to propel his popularity – and even legal delays will be a partial victory for him
Any stage will do. Donald Trump didn’t have to attend the appeal hearing in Washington DC but in this, an election year, he insisted.
No wonder. It’s a no-brainer.
Trump’s legal troubles continue to propel his popularity and his fundraising.
So with a federal courthouse swamped by media for the latest legal twist, there is profile and profit in the personal appearance.
It’s court as a curtain call.
If the three-judge panel falls in Trump’s favour – and that’s a big “if” – it would be good news for him in the US capital and beyond.
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‘I did absolutely nothing wrong’
Having the case thrown out would bode well for him in his efforts to dismiss similar state-level charges of election interference, with similar arguments, at Fulton County in Georgia.
Trump’s lawyers say he should enjoy absolute immunity for his actions while in office and they claim it would be double jeopardy to prosecute him over actions for which he was already impeached and acquitted in the Senate.
A ruling in his favour would also have consequences for his prosecution in New York on false accounting around hush money payments to a former porn star – charges which relate to his time in office.
In such a scenario, three out of four criminal prosecutions would be undermined.
The fourth, on the mishandling of classified documents, is presided over by a Trump-appointed judge who has attracted accusations of bias towards the former president in pre-trial rulings.
So there is much riding on the opinions of the three appeal judges who sat through the oral arguments in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
Whatever conclusion they reach, their decision will almost certainly be appealed by the losing side to the Supreme Court. Assuming it agrees to hear the case, it will probably take many weeks.
Short of the result he wants most, therein lies the partial victory for Trump – delay.
As things stand, he is scheduled to face trial on 4 March on election interference in Washington DC.
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Can Donald Trump win in 2024?
Thereafter, dates are pencilled in for 25 March (New York – falsifying business records), 20 May (mishandling classified documents), and 5 August, when the prosecution in Georgia has asked for the trial to begin there.
It is a tight schedule getting tighter, as it pushes towards the date of the presidential election.
It’s likely, still, that at least one trial will be completed before Americans go to the polls in November.
But that’s not the only political date red-inked onto the courtroom calendar.
Republicans select their nominee at the party convention in July and, for long enough, they have been contemplating the choice of a convicted felon to be their presidential candidate.
It depends on a lot of things – not least the clock.
The King has written to former US president Joe Biden after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, Buckingham Palace said
The monarch, who is undergoing his own treatment for an undisclosed cancer, hosted the 82-year-old for tea and talks at Windsor in July 2023.
Mr Biden was diagnosed on Friday, with tests revealing the cancer had spread to his bones.
The former president posted an image of himself and his wife Jill on X on Monday and wrote: “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
The King and Joe Biden at Windsor Castle in July 2023. Pic: Reuters
The King’s letter comes after British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer”.
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment,” he added.
Meanwhile US President Donald Trump said he was “saddened” by the news, adding: “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former US president Barack Obama said: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Read more: Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer
Barack Obama (right) with Joe Biden at a campaign event in 2022. File pic: Reuters
After a poor debate performance against Mr Trump and amid escalating concerns around his age and fitness to serve, Mr Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election race and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris.
Ms Harris wrote on X after his diagnosis: “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time.
“Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
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Mr Biden’s diagnosis: What we know
Former US president Bill Clinton wrote on social media: “My friend Joe Biden’s always been a fighter. Hillary and I are rooting for him and are keeping him, Jill, and the entire family in our thoughts.”
Hillary Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, said she was “thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they’ve done so much to try to spare other families from”.
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson said it was “sad news” and his family “will be joining the countless others who are praying” for Mr Biden.
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Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi described Mr Biden as a “great American patriot” and said she was “praying for him to have strength and a swift recovery”.
Mr Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on social media that he and his wife were “united in prayer for the Biden Family during this difficult time”.
Politicians have sent messages of support to Joe Biden, who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The 82-year-old, who is the oldest person to ever serve as US president, was described as a “fighter” with people wishing him a “fast and full recovery”.
US President Donald Trump said he was “saddened” by the news, adding: “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former US president Barack Obama said: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Read more: Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer
Barack Obama (right) with Joe Biden at a campaign event in 2022. File pic: Reuters
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer”.
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment,” he added.
After a poor debate performance against Mr Trump and amid escalating concerns for his health, Mr Biden withdrew from the 2024 election and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris.
Ms Harris wrote on X: “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time.
“Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Mr Biden’s diagnosis: What we know
Former US president Bill Clinton wrote on social media: “My friend Joe Biden’s always been a fighter. Hillary and I are rooting for him and are keeping him, Jill, and the entire family in our thoughts.”
Hillary Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, said she was “thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they’ve done so much to try to spare other families from”.
Speaker of the US House Of Representatives Mike Johnson said it was “sad news” and his family “will be joining the countless others who are praying” for Mr Biden.
Read more from Sky News:
UK and EU sign reset deal – live updates
Gary Lineker to leave BBC next week
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi described Mr Biden as a “great American patriot” and said she was “praying for him to have strength and a swift recovery”.
Mr Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on social media he and his wife were “united in prayer for the Biden Family during this difficult time”.
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