Trump still anticipated in NYC this week for fraud trial — as Michael Cohen delays testimony

Donald Trump is still anticipated in New York this week for his ongoing $250 million civil fraud trial — even as his confidant-turned-critic Michael Cohen delayed his expected testimony in the case.

One of the former president’s attorneys hinted that Trump, 77, was still slated to appear Tuesday in the lower Manhattan courtroom — as the third week of trial against his client kicked off on Monday morning, according to a report by ABC News.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron said he would firm up the week’s schedule — which “is somewhat up in the air” — later in the day and acknowledged Trump’s anticipated return to the courtroom, joking that for now, the attorneys would have to argue to an empty chair.

“It won’t be empty tomorrow,” Trump attorney Christopher Kise quipped in response, according to the report.

The former president’s appearance had been expected to coincide with testimony from Cohen — his one time personal attorney and “fixer.”

But Cohen — who was originally expected to take the stand Tuesday — said on Friday he had to postpone for a medical condition, ABC News reported.

“Unfortunately, I need to attend to a pre-existing medical condition that impedes my ability to testify this upcoming week,” Cohen said on X Friday.

“I’m not bowing out. I’m not nervous to testify. I’m not being paid off. I have a medical issue that I need to attend to. It’s as simple as that,” he later added.

Cohen — who is a key witness in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ case against Trump — told ABC he looked “forward to testifying and correcting the record as to the multiple misstatements and responses by previous witnesses.”

Trump appeared for the first three days of trial two weeks ago where protesters showed up in force and even blocked the street outside courthouse.

The 2024 GOP frontrunner took every opportunity in front of the press cameras to blast the case, the AG, the judge and even the judge’s clerk — prompting Engoron to hit Trump with a partial gag order.

The former commander-in-chief and three of his children, Ivanka, Eric and Donald Trump Jr. are all also listed on the AG’s list of witnesses and could testify later in the trial – which is expected to last through December.