Donald Trump hush money trial live: Trump says ‘I want my VOICE back’ in Truth Social rant on historic morning

Donald Trump will make history once again on Monday morning when he becomesthe first American president to ever stand trial on criminal charges.

The former president has been charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in a bid to conceal a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, in order to silence her over an alleged affair in 2006.

The charges on their own are misdemeanours but have been elevated to felonies because Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg says they were carried out to facilitate another crime – violating state or federal election laws.

Mr Trump denies both the affair and has pleaded not guiltyto the charges.

The trial will get under way at 10am ET in Judge Juan Merchan’s courtroom, with jury selection.

On Monday morning, Mr Trump instantly unleashed a series of rants on Truth Social blasting “the Biden Manhattan Witch Hunt Case” and claiming he wants “my VOICE back”. “I want my VOICE back. This Crooked Judge has GAGGED me. Unconstitutional! The other side can talk about me, but I am not allowed to talk about them! Rigged Trial!” he wrote.

Another fundamental issue at the heart of today’s proceedings: what kind of jeopardy is Donald Trump actually facing?

Republican presidential contender will become the first former US president to face criminal proceedings when he appears in court on Monday over the Stormy Daniels scandal

Here’s a quick look at one of the key questions of the day: what will we actually be able to see?

Republican presidential contender will make history (again) in Manhattan on Monday when he becomes the first former US president to face criminal proceedings over the Stormy Daniels scandal

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