Trump in US court

First criminal trial against ex-president begins

Former US President Donald Trump goes on trial on Monday.(Bild: AFP)

For the first time in US history, an ex-president is sitting in the dock in a criminal trial. In the eagerly awaited hush money trial, Trump could even face prison if convicted. The selection of the twelve jurors began in court in New York on Monday.

This could take several days or even weeks. Those called have to answer dozens of questions, such as whether they belong to far-right groups and whether they follow Trump on social media. From Monday (4 p.m. CEST), Donald Trump will be the first former US president in the history of the United States to sit in the dock at a criminal trial. TV footage showed Trump's motorcade arriving at the courthouse in the US capital and him entering the building.

"Attack on America"
Unsurprisingly, the 77-year-old again denounced the trial as "political persecution", saying it was an "attack on America". Trump describes all criminal proceedings against him as politically motivated maneuvers to prevent him from returning to the White House. In reality, however, a criminal conviction in the USA is no obstacle.

Donald Trump in the courtroom on Monday(Bild: AFP)

In the trial in connection with hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, the 77-year-old is charged with falsifying business records, among other things.

Trial neither postponed nor canceled despite efforts
The lawyers of the Republican, who is seeking re-election as US president in November, had been trying to avert, postpone or delay the trial until the very end.

Trump denies affair, not money payment
The background to the case is that Trump had 130,000 US dollars in hush money paid to Daniels in 2016 shortly before his election as president. She had claimed that she had had sex with him. Trump denies an affair, but not that any money was paid.

Non-disclosure agreements between two parties are not illegal in principle. However, Trump is accused of unlawfully accounting for the payments, illegally attempting to conceal them and using them to cover up other violations of the law. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

Three further criminal trials in preparation
According to the court, the trial could last up to eight weeks. If convicted, Trump could face a prison sentence of several years, which could also be suspended. Three further criminal trials against Trump are currently in preparation in the USA.