Historic Donald Trump Manhattan criminal trial to hear opening statements

Donald Trump is the first American president, former or sitting, to face a criminal trial

Former President Donald Trump speaks with the media following jury selection in his trial, Friday, April 19 at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York. Picture: Maansi Srivastava//The New York Times via AP, Pool

Donald Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial in his hush-money case starts in earnest Monday morning with opening statements that mark a momentous day in US history.

Trump is the first American president, former or sitting, to face a criminal trial and the proceedings also play out against a 2024 presidential race in which Trump is almost certain to be the Republican nominee to face Joe Biden.