Historic trial

Prosecutor accuses Trump of “conspiracy”

The outcome of the trial concerning hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels could have an impact on Donald Trump's US election campaign.(Bild: AP)

Opening statements began on Monday in the historic criminal trial against former US President Donald Trump for covering up a hush money payment. Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo accused Trump of a "criminal conspiracy and a cover-up" in New York court. The aim was to "influence the 2016 presidential election". Trump had "orchestrated a criminal conspiracy" to "corrupt" the election.

The prosecution was first to speak during the opening statements, with the defense taking the floor later. This is the first criminal trial in history against a former US president.

Hush money to ex-porn actress covered up?
The prospective new US Republican presidential candidate is accused in the trial of covering up a hush money payment of 130,000 dollars (122,000 euros at today's exchange rate) to former porn actress Stormy Daniels by falsifying business documents. The payment was made to keep Stormy Daniels quiet about an alleged sex affair she claimed to have had with Trump in 2006.

The prosecution argues that the payment to the porn star and the falsification of business documents were intended to keep potentially damaging information for Trump secret from the electorate. The indictment accuses the real estate entrepreneur of forgery in 34 cases.

Former US president pleads not guilty 
Trump has pleaded not guilty. He has also denied any sexual contact with Stormy Daniels. He faces a prison sentence if convicted - although legal experts believe this is unlikely. They are more likely to expect a fine.

Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the media after the first day of opening statements in his trial before the criminal court in Manhattan for falsifying documents in connection with hush money payments.(Bild: AP)

The trial began a week ago Monday. The twelve jurors and six alternate jurors were selected in the first week of the trial.

Trump denounces the hush money trial - as well as the other criminal charges brought against him - as a politically motivated maneuver aimed at preventing his return to the White House. On Monday, when he arrived at the courthouse in Manhattan, he once again described the trial as "election interference" and a "witch hunt".

Trump still criminally charged in three other cases 
The former US president has been criminally charged in three other cases. Two of these cases relate to his massive attempts to retroactively overturn his 2020 election defeat against current President Joe Biden, while another case concerns his taking of secret government documents to his private residence in the US state of Florida.

It is unclear when the trials for these three other charges could begin. Trump wants to run against Biden again in the election in November.