The trial, scheduled to begin in March, carries a four-count indictment alleging that Trump participated in a conspiracy to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election.

NBCUniversal, along with other media outlets, has advocated for the trial to be televised, prompting a change in stance from Trump's attorney. Initially expressing neutrality on the matter, they later argued that allowing a televised trial would prevent biased accounts from the Biden Administration and its media allies. However, legal experts predict that the trial is unlikely to be televised, as federal criminal proceedings have never been broadcasted.

District Judge Tanya Chutkan, presiding over the case in the District of Columbia, has consistently emphasized treating Trump like any other defendant and maintaining the traditional prohibition on broadcasting criminal trials. Smith's team, representing the special counsel's office, echoed this sentiment in their filing, citing the long-standing constitutional broadcast prohibition for federal criminal trials.

Addressing Trump's alleged intentions, Smith's team stated that he seeks to create a "carnival atmosphere" to distract attention from the charges against him and potentially profit from the spectacle. They further argued that Trump's court filings, seemingly designed for media coverage and public relations purposes, do not warrant an exception to the established rules.

Smith's team also pointed out that high-profile federal criminal trials, such as those involving the Boston Marathon bomber, a co-conspirator in the 9/11 attacks, and the Oklahoma City bomber, have proceeded without broadcasting and still garnered significant media coverage. They noted that trials related to the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol, involving groups like the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, followed the same pattern.

As the trial approaches, the debate over televising the proceedings continues, presenting a clash between the desire for transparency and the adherence to established legal procedures. The trial's outcome and any potential impact on future criminal proceedings will be closely watched by legal experts and the public alike.