Donald Trump orchestrated a criminal plot to “corrupt” the 2016 presidential election and then tried to cover it up, prosecutors alleged at the start of his successful hush money trial in New York.
Trump shook his head as he was accused of lying “over and over and over again” to cover up the alleged plot to buy porn star Stormy Daniels’ silence.
Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo told a packed Manhattan courtroom: “This case is about a criminal conspiracy and a cover-up.” Defendant Donald Trump orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election.
“He then covered up that criminal conspiracy by lying over and over again in his New York business records.”
It came after Judge Juan Merchán spent 30 minutes giving instructions to the jury.
He told them: ‘Members of the jury, we are about to continue with the trial of the people of the state of New York against Donald J. Trump.’
Trump is the first former US president to be charged in a criminal trial.
He has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records, which carries a possible maximum prison sentence of four years.
The charges relate to a gag scheme aimed at preventing damaging stories about her personal life, including an alleged affair with Daniels, from becoming public before the 2016 election.
The case is heard by a jury made up of five women and seven men. It includes two corporate lawyers, a security engineer, an investment banker and a speech therapist.
Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump looks on in Manhattan Criminal Court during his trial for allegedly covering up money payments linked to extramarital affairs in New York, US, on April 22, 2024.
Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump takes a seat in Manhattan Criminal Court during his trial for allegedly covering up money payments linked to extramarital affairs in New York, United States, on April 22, 2024.
Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower to attend his trial for allegedly covering up money payments linked to extramarital affairs in New York, April 22, 2024.
Trump entered at the head of his defense team, his shoulders slightly hunched. He took a seat at the front of the court, facing a 20-foot-high wood-paneled wall inscribed “In God We Trust.”
The former president, dressed in a navy suit and light blue tie, sat at the defense table with his attorney Todd Blanche, briefly shaking his head and laughing to himself.
The courtroom on the 15th floor of Manhattan Criminal Court was packed with journalists and members of the public.
Behind the accused sat six rows of journalists on hard wooden benches. The courthouse has a worn tile floor and has been modified for the trial, with four large video screens.
Aides accompanying Trump in court included Natalie Harp, Karoline Leavitt and Jason Miller.
Before the jury appeared, Judge Merchan ruled that prosecutors could question him about a $364 million fine recently imposed on him in a separate civil business fraud case.
That prompted Trump to shake his head in clear frustration.
The opening statements are expected to give jurors and the voting public the clearest view yet of the allegations at the center of the case.
The lawyers will also present a colorful cast of characters expected to testify about the saga.
They include Daniels, former playboy model Karen McDougal and key witness Michael Cohen, Trump’s former fxer.
The first witness is expected to be David Pecker, former CEO of the tabloid publisher American Media.
Donald Trump and David Pecker have been friends for decades
David Pecker, the media boss who will be the first witness
Stormy Daniels, the porn star who received a payment of $130,000 from Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen
Key witness Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former lawyer and fixer
Trump arrived at the courthouse shortly before 9 a.m. minutes after criticizing the case in capital letters on social media.
He called it “electoral interference” and a “witch hunt.”
Being convicted would not prevent Trump from being president again.
However, because this is a state case, he would not be able to attempt to forgive himself if he is found guilty.
The trial will require him to spend weeks in court instead of on the campaign trail.
Trump supporters demonstrate outside Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on April 22, 2024.
Trump supporters wrote messages outside the courthouse
A Trump supporter outside Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on April 22, 2024.
Writing in Truth Social shortly before arriving at court, he complained of being “stuck” in the trial.
You will be forced to listen to witnesses recount salacious and potentially unflattering details about your private life.
Trump has tried to turn his status as a criminal defendant into an advantage for his campaign.
He has been using it to raise funds and to criticize a justice system that, according to him, is armed against him.
The case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.