Analysis | How Donald Trump will seek to turn his hush money trial into political gold

Donald Trump has proven to be a master of turning legal lemons into political lemonade – and he’s on track to do the same thing when he finally goes on trial this week in the Manhattan case stemming from hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels and others.

He is certain to use the trial as a platform to promote his now-familiar claims that he is the real victim of “deep state” Democrats and biased prosecutors, political pundits say.

“He will try to turn the trial from prosecution to persecution, as we’ve seen in the past,” said Basil Smikle, a Hunter College professor and Democratic strategist. “In his view, it could convince his supporters that he’s being treated unfairly.”

Republican strategists say it’s no secret how Trump plans to deal with the potential political pitfalls of the trial.

“He’ll trash the judicial system as he’s been doing for years, all while declaring a victim and martyr,” said Doug Heye, a Republican strategist.

For most politicians, facing felony charges in a courtroom – let alone sordid allegations of extramarital sex, lies and an election-altering cover up – would be the kiss of death.