The decision by Judge Juan Manuel Merchan was made after consulting with the judge in Trump's now-delayed federal election interference case in Washington DC.

Trump was in attendance on Thursday for the hearing to determine whether Trump is guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in an alleged scheme to conceal stories about alleged extramarital affairs which former porn actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal sprung on the billionaire during the 2016 election.

Thursday marked Trump's first return to the court in the New York criminal case since he became the first ex-president indicted in US history. He has since been indicted in Florida, Georgia, and Washington D.C. - which has only propelled him to new heights in the polls.

Sparks flew in the coutroom, as Trump's attorneys blasted the decision to keep the March date - arguing that Trump will have to stand trial in New York while simultaneously attempting to seal the Republican nomination.

"It is completely election interference to say 'you are going to sit in this courtroom in Manhattan," said defense attorney Todd Blanche.

Merchan at one point told Blanche at one point "Stop interrupting me."