Trump on trial: Live updates as the former president is in court for hush money trial
What to know about Trump's hush money trialThe trial begins today with jury selection, which could take up to two weeks because of the large pool of prospective jurors. The charges from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stem from a $130,000 payment Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels at the end of the 2016 election to keep her from going public with an allegation that she and Trump had had an affair. Trump then repaid Cohen in installments marked as legal fees in company records.The proceedings mark the first time a former president has faced a criminal trial; Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records. He has denied the affair and pleaded not guilty to the charges, which he says are politically motivated.Trump is required to be present for the trial, which will take place four days a week and could last eight weeks.Judge Juan Merchan began the day's proceedings by reviewing pending motions. He ruled against a request that he recuse himself from the trial.
