Donald Trump's highly anticipated sexual assault defamation trial has been delayed after a juror and one of Trump's lawyers reported Covid-19 symptoms on the eve of the New Hampshire Republican primary vote. The juror, known as juror number three, reported symptoms of fever, prompting Judge Lewis Kaplan to send him home and postpone the day's testimony. E. Jean Carroll, a prominent writer, is seeking more than $10 million in damages for defamation by Trump, whom another New York civil jury previously found liable for sexual assault against her. Trump has stated that he will testify in the case.

The trial was initially delayed for one day due to the illnesses but was later postponed for a second day without explanation. The court heard that Trump's campaign rival, Nikki Haley, sees the primary as the last opportunity to take on the former president, who has successfully imposed his far-right brand on the entire Republican party, despite facing multiple criminal cases.

Trump, who has been shuttling between New York for the defamation case and a separate civil fraud trial, and New Hampshire for campaign stops, was whisked away in a metallic black Chevrolet SUV following the announcement of the delay. A new Washington Post/Monmouth poll on Monday showed Trump leading in New Hampshire with 52 percent backing, compared to Haley's 34 percent. The trial is set to resume on Wednesday, with all eyes on whether Trump will indeed take the stand to testify in this highly contentious case.