DAVOS (AFP) -- US President Donald Trump branded his impeachment trial a "hoax" in the Swiss resort of Davos on Tuesday, hours before senators were to start debating a push to remove him from office.

Asked by reporters why he was in Davos, not back in Washington, Trump said: 

"We're meeting with world leaders, the most important people in the world and we're bringing back tremendous business."

 "The other's just a hoax," he said. "It's the witch hunt that's been going on for years and frankly it's disgraceful." (AFP)