Trump expected to attend NY hush money hearing Thursday, lawyer says

CNN —

Former President Donald Trump is expected to attend Thursday’s hearing in the New York hush money criminal case, according to Steve Sadow, Trump’s lead attorney for the Georgia election subversion case.

Trump had considered traveling to Georgia on Thursday for a hearing in the criminal case brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis but is now planning to attend the hearing in New York, multiple sources familiar with the matter said. His expected court appearance comes just before the former president could face another consequential legal decision – this time on the fate of his business empire in New York.

Both hearings are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Fulton County DA Fani Willis appears for a hearing on November 21, 2023.

Related article Fulton County DA could be disqualified from Trump case if she financially benefitted from relationship with top prosecutor

Initially, Trump was intrigued by the idea of traveling to Georgia if Willis was forced to take the stand and answer questions under oath about allegations she engaged in an improper romantic relationship with her top deputy, Nathan Wade, one of the sources told CNN.

A judge on Monday did not rule out the possibility that Willis will have to testify but made clear that is contingent on what other witnesses say first.

Trump’s advisers made the case that the New York hearing is more important as it is a criminal case that directly impacts him, according to a source familiar with internal discussions.

Trump was charged last March with falsifying business records to commit or conceal another crime. Prosecutors allege that the former president engaged in a cover up scheme to hide reimbursement payments made to his former