Trump turns his fraud trial into a campaign stop as he seeks to capitalize on his legal woes

By JILL COLVIN
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump’s court appearances are no longer distractions from his campaign to return to the White House. They are central to it. The dynamic was on full display Monday as the former president and GOP front-runner went to court in New York for the opening day of a civil fraud trial accusing him of grossly inflating the value of his businesses. And he was back in court again Tuesday. Trump is under no obligation to appear, but he nonetheless has seized the opportunity to create a media spectacle that puts him back in the spotlight and once again portrays himself as a victim of a politicized justice system.