Former President Donald Trump (Photo: Reuters)

Trump took part in the hearing via video link from Florida on Tuesday. He was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with a scheme to make hush money payments prior to the 2016 presidential election.

At Tuesday’s hearing, the judge read to Trump a court order that he may not speak publicly about the case.

The trial of the former US president will take place during primaries to select the presidential candidate of the Democratic and Republican party.