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Donald Trump makes history by becoming the first former US president to face a criminal trial when he appears in a New York court.
The Republican politician arrived at a Manhattan court on Monday, April 15, as his secret money trial began.
Trump is accused of falsifying his business records to disguise a hush payment made to Stormy Daniels, a former adult film star, shortly before the 2016 election.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s charges stem from a $130,000 payment that Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, made to the actress at the end of the 2016 election to prevent her from going public with an allegation that She and Trump had had an affair. Trump then paid Cohen in installments marked as legal fees in company records.
Trump, 77, faces a maximum of four years in prison if convicted, but could avoid jail time and a fine.
The trial began today with jury selection, which could take up to two weeks due to the large number of potential jurors.
The trial marks the first time a former president has faced a criminal trial.
Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records. He denied the matter and pleaded not guilty to the charges, which he claims are politically motivated.
Last April he pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment accusing him of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment.
Jury selection could take up to two weeks, and the entire trial is expected to last six to eight weeks.
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