Four key moments from Trump’s hush money trial: First day of opening statements

The opening statements in Donald Trump’s hush money trial on Monday set the stage for weeks of testimony about the former president’s personal life, putting his legal troubles at the centre of his presidential campaign.

Mr Trump is accused of falsifying internal business records as part of an alleged scheme to bury stories that he thought might hurt his presidential campaign in 2016.

At the heart of the allegations is a $130,000 payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels by Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and personal fixer, to prevent her claims of a sexual encounter with Mr Trump from surfacing in the final days of the race.

Prosecutors say the former president obscured the true nature of such payments in internal business documents. He has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels, and his lawyers argue that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses.

Below, The Telegraph lays out four of the key moments as the day unfolded:

Trump calls for protests outside court

Earlier on Monday, Mr Trump called on his supporters to stage protests at courts around the country as he arrived at Manhattan Criminal Court for the second week of his trial.

“America Loving Protesters should be allowed to protest at the front steps of Courthouses, all over the Country, just like it is allowed for those who are destroying our Country on the Radical Left,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“Free Speech and Assembly has been ‘chilled’ for USA supporters. Go out and peacefully protest… Save our country!”

Key witness ‘cannot be trusted’, says defence

Todd Blanche, acting for the defence, said Michael Cohen, Mr Trump’s former “fixer” and another potential witness in the trial, “cannot be trusted” because he had “talked extensively about his desire to see President Trump go to prison”.

Prosecutors said Mr Cohen had been enlisted to make a hush money payment to Ms Daniels to suppress her story of an alleged affair with the then-Republican candidate.

“I suspect the defence will go to great lengths to get you to reject his testimony, precisely because it is so damning,” said Matthew Colangelo, prosecuting.

Mr Blanche, acting for the former president, disputed Mr Cohen’s story and claimed he was “obsessed with President Trump even to this day”.

“He has talked extensively about his desire to see president Trump go to prison. He has talked extensively about his desire for president’s Trump’s family go to prison”, he told the jury.

He said Mr Cohen had described his former employer as a “despicable human being” and that he wants to “see him in an orange jumpsuit”.

Trump orchestrated ‘criminal conspiracy to corrupt 2016 election’

Prosecutors also claimed Mr Trump orchestrated a criminal conspiracy to “corrupt” the 2016 presidential election.

Mr Colangelo said the Trump campaign feared a story involving his alleged relationship with Ms Daniels would have been “devastating” to his electoral prospects.

Mr Cohen allegedly paid Ms Daniels to stay quiet and was reimbursed by his boss in what were recorded as legal fees. “It was election fraud, pure and simple,” added Mr Colangelo.

He claimed the then-Republican candidate had entered into a conspiracy with Mr Cohen and David Pecker, a former publishing executive, to “catch and kill” negative stories about him. He said the men “struck a deal” at a meeting in which they “conspired to influence the 2016 presidential election”.

However, Mr Blanche argued: “There’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It’s called democracy.”

Daniels’ testimony ‘does not matter’

Mr Blanche said Ms Daniels “saw her chance to make a lot of money”  before the election by signing a non-disclosure agreement, and had  “no idea” about documents central to the case.

“Her testimony, whilst salacious, does not matter”, he argued.

He added that she made “hundreds of thousands of dollars” after the alleged sexual encounter became public, and has “no idea” about documents central to the case.

06:22 PM BST

That’s all for now

Thanks for following our live coverage as opening statements were heard in Donald Trump’s “hush money” case, in the former president’s second week in court. We will be back tomorrow with the latest from Manhattan Criminal Court. This live blog is now closed.

06:19 PM BST

‘Stormy Daniels’ salacious testimony does not matter’

The “salacious” testimony of an adult film star who allegedly had an affair with Donald Trump “does not matter”, lawyers for the former president argued.

Mr Trump has been charged with falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments allegedly made to stop Stormy Daniels’ story being published. Opening statements in the trial began today in court.

Todd Blanche, acting for Mr Trump, said Ms Daniels “saw her chance to make a lot of money” in the weeks running up to the election by signing a non-disclosure agreement.

She made “hundreds of thousands of dollars” after the alleged sexual encounter became public, and has “no idea” about documents central to the case, he added.

”Her testimony, whilst salacious, does not matter”, Mr Blanche argued.

He also sought to cast doubt on another potential witness in the trial: Michael Cohen, who was allegedly reimbursed by Mr Trump for making the $130,000 payment to Ms Daniels.

“He has talked extensively about his desire to see President Trump go to prison,” Mr Blanche said, adding: “He cannot be trusted”.

06:01 PM BST

Trump: I should be campaigning, not stuck in court

05:48 PM BST

‘We did nothing wrong’

Speaking to reporters as the trial concluded for the day, Donald Trump said the case was about “book-keeping – which is a very minor thing in terms of the law”.

Falsifying business records is classed as a misdemeanour in New York unless it is done in the commission or concealment of another crime, in which case it becomes a felony.

“We did nothing wrong,” Mr Trump said, noting that his payment to his lawyer, Michael Cohen, was recorded as a legal expense.

05:32 PM BST

Jury released as judge discusses scheduling with lawyers

The jury and witness have been released but the judge, prosecution and defence are discussing a scheduling matter.

Tomorrow the court will sit at 9:30am (2:30pm BST) to hear Mr Trump’s alleged gag order violation. Mr Pecker’s testimony is expected to resume at 11am (4pm BST).

05:31 PM BST

Pecker smiles as he walks past Trump

David Pecker has left the witness stand, smiling and saying “hi” as he walked past Donald Trump’s table.

05:23 PM BST

Trump keeping close eye on Pecker

Donald Trump appears to be watching David Pecker closely as he gives evidence. The former publishing executive, who knew Mr Trump for decades, is facing towards the jury.

05:21 PM BST

Pecker asked about his phone numbers

Mr Pecker let out a huge cackle from the bench as he was asked about the last digits of his mobile and work numbers.

He got the last digit wrong for one of the numbers and then was visibly trying to recall the second set.

“This isn’t a quiz,” Mr Steinglass said.

Mr Pecker let out a huge guffaw from the bench - in stark contrast to his so far softly spoken testimony.

05:14 PM BST

Pictured: Matthew Colangelo gives opening statement

05:12 PM BST

Who is David Pecker?

David Pecker, the first witness in Donald Trump’s criminal trial, is a former chief executive of the publisher of The National Enquirer.

Prosecutors claim he is at the centre of three “hush money” payments involving Mr Trump, as part of a deal to “catch and kill” negative stories about the then-Republican candidate.

Along with allegedly alerting Mr Cohen to Stormy Daniel’s story, he is said to have paid $150,000 to a former Playboy model with whom Mr Trump allegedly had an affair.

He is also said to have paid a Trump Tower doorman to stop the publication of a story about a lovechild said to have been fathered by Mr Trump – a story The National Enquirer later concluded was false.

Mr Pecker, 72, has been granted federal immunity in return for his testimony today.

05:07 PM BST

David Pecker on witness stand

David Pecker, 72, is wearing a grey suit and yellow tie with his chin-length grey hair slicked back.

He smiled nervously as he approached the bench.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass apologised for starting with the question “how old are you?”

05:05 PM BST

Trump ‘orchestrated criminal conspiracy to corrupt 2016 election’

Donald Trump orchestrated a criminal conspiracy in order to “corrupt” the 2016 presidential election, prosecutors claimed in the former president’s “hush money” case.

Matthew Colangelo, prosecuting, said Mr Trump had falsified business records to conceal payments to an adult film star and cover up an alleged affair.

The Trump campaign feared a story involving the alleged relationship with Stormy Daniels could damage his electoral prospects, he said, after the Republican was recorded making crude remarks on an episode of “Access Hollywood”.

Michael Cohen, Mr Trump’s lawyer and “fixer”, allegedly paid Ms Daniels to stay quiet and was reimbursed by his boss in what was recorded as legal fees, Mr Colangelo said.

“It was election fraud, pure and simple,”  he added.

Mr Colangelo said: “Another story about sexual infidelity, especially with a porn star, on the heels of the ‘Access Hollywood’ tape, could have been devastating to his campaign.”

“With pressure mounting and Election Day fast approaching, Donald Trump agreed to the payoff and directed Cohen to proceed.”

05:03 PM BST

Trump and jury return to courtroom after break

Mr Trump and his legal team have returned to the court room.

The jury is being led back in.

05:02 PM BST

Trump at Manhattan court in first criminal trial

04:53 PM BST

Trump ‘stony-faced’ as opening statements conclude

Mr Blanche has now finished delivering his opening statement, which lasted around 35 minutes.

He said if the jury follows the evidence there will be a “very swift not guilty verdict”.

The jury has been sent out for a 10-minute break.

Mr Trump walked out of the room looking stony-faced followed by his team of lawyers and security.

04:51 PM BST

Defence: Stormy Daniels ‘saw a chance to make a lot of money’

Mr Blanche said Stormy Daniels “saw her chance to make a lot of money” in the weeks running up to the election with the non-disclosure agreement.

She has made “hundreds of thousands of dollars” after the alleged sexual encounter became public.

He said Ms Daniels has “no idea” about Mr Cohen’s invoices or the documents central to the case.

”Her testimony, whilst salacious, does not matter”, he said.

04:40 PM BST

Defence: Michael Cohen cannot be trusted

Michael Cohen is “obsessed with president Trump even to this day”, Mr Blanche said.

“He has talked extensively about his desire to see president Trump go to prison. He has talked extensively about his desire for president’s Trump’s family go to prison”, he told the jury.

He said Mr Cohen last night had described his former employer as a “despicable human being” and said he wants to “see him in an orange jumpsuit”.

“He cannot be trusted”, he said.

04:35 PM BST

Non-disclosure agreements ‘are perfectly legal’

Mr Trump “had nothing to do with any of the 34 pieces of the paper, the 34 counts [he is charged with]”, Mr Blanche has said.

Trying to distance his client from the paperwork central to the case, he said he is “not on the hook” and is “not legally responsible”.

“I have a spoiler alert, there’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election, it’s called democracy”, Mr Blanche later added.

“Entering into a nondisclosure agreement is perfectly legal. You will learn that companies do that all the time with some regularity”, he said.

04:33 PM BST

‘Nothing wrong with trying to influence an election’

“I have a spoiler alert: There’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election,” Todd Blanche said. “It’s called democracy.”

The prosecution claims Donald Trump broke state and federal campaign law with the alleged “hush money” payments to Stormy Daniels.

04:31 PM BST

Trump lawyers attack ‘frugal businessman’ claim

Todd Blanche attempted to turn the prosecution’s characterisation of Donald Trump as a “frugal businessman” against them.

“Ask yourself: would a frugal business man who pinches pennies repay a $130,000 debt to the tune of $420,000?” he said.

The prosecution claimed earlier that Mr Trump enlisted Michael Cohen to pay $130,000 to Stormy Daniels to conceal an affair with the adult film star.

04:25 PM BST

Trump watches his lawyer as defence statements starts

Whereas Mr Trump faced forward for most of the prosecution’s opening statement, he has turned to face Mr Blanche to watch as he addresses the jury.

04:25 PM BST

‘Plenty of reasonable doubt’, defence argues

Todd Blanche said the claims made by the prosecution in their opening are untrue and that the jury will find “plenty of reasonable doubt”.

It is a “very clean, nice story”, he said – but is “not [as] simple as the people just described”.

04:21 PM BST

Defence: Trump is ‘cloaked in innocence’

Todd Blanche kicked off by saying Mr Trump is “innocent”, “did not commit any crimes” and is “cloaked in innocence”.

Mr Blanche said he will call his client “president Trump” out of “respect for the office he held”.

He added that Mr Trump “is not just our former president, he’s not just the Donald Trump you’ve seen on TV... He’s also a man, he’s a husband, he’s a father”.

04:20 PM BST

Trump ‘tried to silence’ porn star Stormy Daniels, court hears

Donald Trump was accused of attempting to “silence” an adult film star as opening statements began in his “hush money” trial in New York.

The former president has been charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in order to conceal payments to Stormy Daniels to conceal an alleged affair. He has pleaded not guilty and denies an affair.

Matthew Colangelo, prosecuting, said Mr Trump “orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election” and then “covered up that criminal conspiracy by lying in his New York business records”.

He claimed Michael Cohen, Mr Trump’s former lawyer, paid $130,000 “to an adult film actress called Stormy Daniels just a couple of weeks before the 2016 election to silence her and make sure the public did not learn” about the alleged sexual encounter.

Mr Trump then reimbursed Mr Cohen for that payment through a series of monthly cheques which were “disguised” to conceal “his and others criminal conduct”, Mr Colangelo said.

Those cheques account for 11 of the business records said to have been falsified at the instigation of the former president. The others are invoices sent to Mr Cohen and entries in the Trump Organisation ledger.

04:18 PM BST

Prosecution: There is only one conclusion – Trump is guilty

Mr Colangelo finished his opening statement saying: “Tune out the noise, focus on the facts, focus on the logical inferences that follow from those facts, focus on the evidence… emails, text messages, handwritten notes, all of it.”

He said the evidence “inescapably leads to only one conclusion – Donald Trump is guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.”

Todd Blanche is now delivering the defence’s opening statement.

04:17 PM BST

Trump ‘believed in pinching pennies’

Mr Colangelo has described Mr Trump as a “very frugal businessman, he believed in pinching pennies, he believed in watching every dollar, he believed in negotiating every bill.”

With regards to Mr Cohen, he added:”I suspect the defence will go to great lengths to try to reject this testimony precisely because it’s so damning.”

He said it was true Mr Cohen “made mistakes in his past” and he would tell the jury about his criminal record.

04:04 PM BST

‘Election fraud, pure and simple’

Mr Colangelo has described the so-called catch-and-kill scheme as a “long-running conspiracy to help Mr Trump get elected”.

“It was election fraud, pure and simple,” he said.

“We’ll never know, and it doesn’t matter, if this conspiracy” made the difference in the 2016 election, Mr Colangelo said.

He added that Mr Trump was “certainly concerned about how this would stand with voters and with female voters in particular”.

04:03 PM BST

Court to hear recorded phone call between Trump and his ‘fixer’

The jury will hear a recorded conversation between Donald Trump and Michael Cohen over paying off a former Playboy model, Matthew Colangelo said.

Karen McDougal was allegedly paid $150,000 by the National Enquirer to keep quiet the story of a 10-month relationship with Mr Trump. The former president denies any affair took place.

03:59 PM BST

Trump unresponsive as prosecution continues statement

Mr Trump has hardly moved while the prosecution has reeled off a string of damaging allegations about him.

He has predominantly sat and stared forward, watching the proceedings while looking disinterested.

He has occasionally poked one of his lawyers and whispered something in their ear, before facing forward again.

03:59 PM BST

Trump ‘spoke with witnesses about paying off Stormy Daniels’

Donald Trump, David Pecker and Michael Cohen had a “series of conversations about “who would put up the money” to pay off former Playboy model Karen McDougal.

Mr Colangelo has said Mr Pecker said AMI would make a $150,000 payment to the former model for her story of a sexual encounter with Mr Trump. The deal involved magazine covers and lifestyle articles under her name.

“The real reason”, Mr Colangelo said, “was to make sure she wouldn’t publicise her account” of her alleged tryst with Mr Trump.

He said they had paid her off to “keep her quiet” months before the election.

03:57 PM BST

‘Cohen’s job was to take care of problems’

Matthew Colangelo has mentioned a number of witnesses expected to testify against Donald Trump in the early stages of his opening statement.

He said that Michael Cohen, Mr Trump’s former lawyer, acted as his “fixer”, adding: “Cohen’s job really was to take care of problems for the defendant.”

David Pecker, the publishing boss who allegedly struck a deal ahead of the election with Mr Trump, was “not acting as a publisher, he was acting as a co-conspirator”, Mr Colangelo claimed.

03:51 PM BST

Pictured: Trump flanked by lawyers in court

03:49 PM BST

Trump calls on supporters to ‘save our country’

Donald Trump called for his supporters to stage protests around the country as he arrived at Manhattan Criminal Court for opening arguments in his “hush money” case.

The former president, who claims he is being persecuted by the justice department, said demonstrations of “USA supporters” had been “systematically shut down” while pro-Palestinian activists “basically do whatever they want.

“America Loving Protesters should be allowed to protest at the front steps of Courthouses, all over the Country, just like it is allowed for those who are destroying our Country on the Radical Left,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“Free Speech and Assembly has been ‘chilled’ for USA supporters. Go out and peacefully protest.

“Rally behind MAGA [Make America Great Again]. Save our country! ‘The only thing you have to fear is fear itself.’”

03:45 PM BST

Publisher ‘conspired to influence election’ with Trump

Mr Colangelo is describing how Mr Trump, his former fixer Michael Cohen and David Pecker, the former CEO of American Media Inc, “carried out three different catch and kill deals to help him [Mr Trump] get elected”.

He said the men “struck a deal” at a meeting in 2016 in which they “conspired to influence the 2016 presidential election”.

The “core of the conspiracy was David Pecker’s agreement to act as the eyes and ears of the campaign”.

03:43 PM BST

Trump ‘lied over and over and over again’

Donald Trump lied “over and over and over” again in falsifying business records to conceal an alleged affair, the court heard.

03:35 PM BST

Trump ‘orchestrated criminal scheme to corrupt election’

Matthew Colangelo, one of the prosecutors, has said this case is about a “criminal conspiracy and a cover up”.

He said Mr Trump “orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election” and then “covered up that criminal conspiracy by lying in his New York business records”.

Mr Colangelo said Michael Cohen paid $130,000 “to an adult film actress called Stormy Daniels just a couple of weeks before the 2016 election to silence her and make sure the public did not learn” about the alleged sexual encounter.

He said Mr Trump then reimbursed Mr Cohen for that payment through a series of monthly cheques which were “disguised” to conceal “his and others criminal conduct”.

03:32 PM BST

Assistant DA delivers opening statement for prosecution

Matthew Colangelo, an assistant district attorney, is delivering opening statements for the prosecution.

03:31 PM BST

‘These are all Biden trials’, Trump claims

03:30 PM BST

Opening statements begin

The prosecution has begun its opening statement.

03:25 PM BST

‘You have promised to be a fair juror’

“Remember you have promised to be a fair juror”, Juan Merchan has told the jury.

03:24 PM BST

Ignore ‘baseless speculation’, judge tells jurors

Juan Merchan gave jurors instructions about trial procedure, the burden of proof and other aspects of their role before opening statements begin.

“Whatever your verdict may be, it must not rest on baseless speculation,” he told them.

03:18 PM BST

Reporters ‘trying to get a glimpse of Trump’

I’m sitting on the fifth row of benches behind the prosecution table – about 20 feet from Mr Trump.

I’ve got a clear view of the former president’s mop of blonde hair – that is, unless the police officers standing next to him shift around.

Security is not taken lightly in this courtroom.

A reporter sat next to me apologised for continuing to lean over me while trying to get a glimpse of Mr Trump.

“No worries, go for it,” I replied, before a stern-looking New York State Court officer told us to stop talking or we would be kicked out.

03:07 PM BST

Trump stared at jury members as they file in

The jurors have entered the room and are currently receiving instructions from Mr Merchan. Mr Trump stared at the 12 members of the jury as they filed into the room.

03:01 PM BST

Jury led in

The jury has been led into the courtroom and have taken their seats. Juan Merchan, the judge, reminded them: “You must decide this case on the evidence.”

03:00 PM BST

Who are the key witnesses in the case?

A colourful cast of witnesses take to the stand over the next few weeks, among them an adult film star, a publishing executive who has been friends with Donald Trump for decades, and a former Playboy model.

02:56 PM BST

Judge will allow prosecution to mention other Trump cases

Juan Merchan, the judge presiding over the case, has said he will allow the prosecution to bring up four other cases involving Donald Trump.

This includes the New York civil fraud trial which left the former president with liabilities of almost half a billion dollars after he was found liable for fraudulently inflating his net worth.

However, strict limits will be placed on what prosecutors can ask Mr Trump about regarding those cases.

02:47 PM BST

Alvin Bragg enters courtroom

Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney who brought the “hush money” prosecution against Donald Trump, has entered the courtroom.

02:46 PM BST

Pictured: Trump in court for second week of trial

02:41 PM BST

Another juror ‘concerned about media attention’

Opening statements are expected to last just over one hour this morning.

Joshua Steinglass said the prosecution’s statement should take around 40 minutes, while Todd Blanche, Mr Trump’s lawyer, said the defence will take around 25 minutes.

Justice Juan Merchan said this was “good” because court will end at 12:30 today because a jury member has an emergency dental appointment.

Mr Merchan also said another juror was “concerned about the media attention and wasn’t 100 per cent sure if they wanted to be here today”.

The juror arrived at court and Mr Merchan is speaking to them with the prosecution and defence in private. Mr Merchan then confirmed juror 9 will continue with the trial.

02:40 PM BST

Court is now in session

The second week of Donald Trump’s hush money trial is now underway. The prosecution’s opening statement is expected to be about 40 minutes while the defence’s will be roughly 25 minutes.

02:37 PM BST

‘Trump has just walked in’

Mr Trump has just walked into Part 59 on the 15th floor of Manhattan Criminal Court.

It is the first time I’ve been in this courtroom with Mr Trump that he hasn’t winked at someone in the press or public gallery while entering the room.

The rather drab wood paneled courtroom with eleven large, blinding light fittings is a far cry from the opulent settings the former president is accustomed to.

The Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has sat down in the front row behind the prosecution table.

Journalists have been told to put away their phones, laptops are permitted.

02:35 PM BST

What will happen in court today?

Today the 12 members of the jury, who were selected last week, will hear opening arguments from the prosecution, who will outline the charges against Donald Trump.

They will claim that the hush money payments, which the former president has been accused of paying to an adult film star, with a view to influencing the result of the 2016 election.

Mr Trump’s legal team will then give a flavour of his defence. Court will end early today at 7pm BST (2pm ET) and tomorrow because of Passover.

02:28 PM BST

All the charges Donald Trump faces – and what happens next

Donald Trump’s bid for re-election to the White House has been beset by legal difficulties with the former president facing 91 felony charges across four criminal cases and two civil lawsuits.

Mr Trump is staring down the barrel of potential jail time if he is found guilty in the criminal cases, while he has been struck with fines of more than $400 million for his civil trials.

Read the full breakdown of Donald Trump’s legal battles here.

02:14 PM BST

Trump: Manhattan has been ‘closed down’ to stop protests

Donald Trump complained that the area outside the court has been “closed down” to protesters in a post on his Truth Social platform.

“Unlike at Columbia University where the Radical left Palestinian Protesters sat on the Front Lawn... and nothing happened to them, Lower Manhattan surrounding the Courthouse, where I am heading now, is completely closed down,” he said.

“So unfair!!!”

However, a number of anti-Trump protesters have been pictured outside the court. One carried a sign plastered with the faces of Mr Trump, Vladimir Putin, Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler bearing the words: “I’m above the law.”

02:08 PM BST

Will the trial start on time today?

02:00 PM BST

Trump arrives at court

Donald Trump’s motorcade has arrived at Manhattan Criminal Court. Opening arguments are just minutes away.

01:54 PM BST

Reporters ‘pay for professional queuers’ ahead of trial

The Telegraph has been given one of the four coveted seats reserved for international press inside the court this morning.

There are 64 spots for journalists inside Part 59 – the court room where the trial is being held – but the majority are hoovered up by American media.

Although every reporter in the queue for designated seats is guaranteed a spot, some journalists have paid professional queuers to stand outside the court from the early hours of the morning to ensure they have the best seat in the house.

The main question on everyone’s mind is whether – with a 2pm finish – we will have a break for lunch.

01:42 PM BST

‘The day Donald Trump hoped would never come’

Today is the day.

It’s one that Donald Trump hoped would never come – and at points last week it seemed might take weeks to arrive.

But this morning Mr Trump’s first criminal trial, the first of any former US president, begins in earnest.

A 12-strong jury will hear opening arguments from the prosecution outlining Mr Trump’s 34 felony charges, which centre on three alleged hush-money deals.

The Republican frontrunner’s legal team will then give a flavour of his defence.

Court will end early today and tomorrow due to Passover.

01:38 PM BST

Trump leaves Trump Tower

Donald Trump has left Trump Tower. His motorcade is now heading to Manhattan Criminal Court for the second week of his “hush money” case.

01:38 PM BST

Trump complains about being ‘stuck in court’

Donald Trump complained about being “stuck in a courtroom” hours before the second week of his “hush money” trial began with opening statements.

The former president, who appeared to fall asleep in court last week, wrote on social media: “It is... the perfect Crooked Joe Biden narrative – To be stuck in a courtroom, and not be allowed to campaign.”

Hitting out at the Manhattan district attorney, he said: “Alvin Bragg, who has totally lost control of Violent Crime in New York, says that the payment of money to a lawyer, for legal services rendered, should not be referred to in a Ledger as legal expense.

“What  other term would be more appropriate???”

01:33 PM BST

Donald Trump trial: Who are the witnesses?

A colourful cast of witnesses will take the stand at the Lower Manhattan courthouse during Donald Trump’s hush money trial, including the former president himself.

The key figures include an adult film star, a publishing executive, a former Playboy model, and a “fixer” for Mr Trump.

Read the full article here.

01:21 PM BST

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the live blog. Benedict Smith here. We’ll be bringing you all the updates as opening statements are heard in Donald Trump’s “hush money” trial in New York.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.