Is it starting with a terrible, very bad, unsuccessful week for Trump? As the impeachment process begins, it's a chain of failures.

New Yorkwhere he faces 34 felony charges that could lead to prison time. The prosecution alleges that Trump falsified business records to conceal a hush money payment intended to illegally interfere in the 2016 election. According to the prosecution, Trump approved his former attorney, Michael Cohen, to make the payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels out of fear that her story about a sexual encounter with Trump would hurt his standing among female voters. The payment violated federal campaign finance laws, according to the indictment. Trump has pleaded not guilty and denies Daniels' allegation. Jury selection, which Trump believes does not give him a fair chance, will continue when the trial resumes Thursday.

First setback: Trump loses move to recuse judge

The trial only technically began when jury selection began Monday afternoon. But even before that, the trial sessions did not go well for him.

Judge Juan Merchan denied Trump's motion to recuse him. Trump argued that Merchan should be removed from the case because his daughter is a marketing executiveagencieswho works with Democratic political party candidates. Merchan noted on the New York State Committee on Judicial Ethics' uncontested opinion that Merchan's integrity could not reasonably be challenged based on his daughter's work because Trump's case does not involve her case.

The second defeat: the beginning of the process

The mere fact that a lawsuit had begun was a defeat for Trump.

He filed a string of court documents in the days and weeks before the trial, seeking to delay the proceedings. Three separate appellate judgesNew Yorkrejected three separate emergency appeals by Trump seeking a delay.

Third defeat: Trump could be found guilty of violating comment ban

Prosecutors on Monday asked Merchan to find Trump guilty, fine him $3,000 and warn that he could face future jail time for the violation. Merchan is set to hold a hearing on the matter next Tuesday. The reason? Prosecutors allege that Trump violated Merchan's injunction against him at least three times. That injunction prohibits Trump from publicly commenting on the participation of potential witnesses in the case.

Fourth defeat: judge reprimands Trump

After the potential member left the courtroom Merchan said he heard Trump make comments in the woman's presence, though he did not hear exactly what Trump said. “I will not allow any member of Sessions to be intimidated in this courtroom,” Trump's attorney Todd Blanch told Trump.

Fifth defeat: Is Trump unhappy with jury selection?

Trump did not seem satisfied with the jury selection. Given that Merchan rejected Trump's request for a delay based on pre-trial publication, he said a “thorough, deliberative and efficient” process of interviewing potential jurors should be conducted.

Sixth defeat: caught sleeping.

Trump, who always draws attention to his education, has been repeatedly mocked by opponents for his alleged lack of energy, from “sleepy” Jeb Bush to President “Sleepy Joe” Biden. So he may have been embarrassed when several reporters reported that he appeared to be falling asleep in the courtroom.New YorkTimes Invasion Maggie Haberman reported Monday night that she saw his head repeatedly droop and his mouth creep downward. Haberman has long followed Trump, including in her 2022 book titled “Confidence Man: The Creation of Donald Trump and the Destruction of America.”