Trump in court for historic hush- money trial

DONALD Trump is in court and his longawaited hush- money trial is now under way in New York.

It marks the first time ever that a United States president, former or current, has faced a criminal trial.

The trial is expected to last at least six weeks, with the first one or two dedicated to the complicated task of selecting a jury.

Trump is accused of trying to cover up a $ 130,000 hushmoney payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election, which he won.

Daniels claims she and Trump had sex in 2006, and she was then paid by Trump's then- lawyer Michael Cohen to stay quiet about it.

Trump is accused of falsifying his business records by saying the reimbursement money he gave Cohen was for legal fees.

He faces 34 counts of fraud, but denies any legal wrongdoing and also denies having an affair with Daniels.

The maximum penalty if Trump is found guilty is four years behind bars, but experts say a much less severe penalty would be more likely.

Justice Merchan considers a motion by the Trump team to adjust alleged “asymmetry” in the jur y questionnaire.

Ultimately, Merchan denies it, saying that he did not see asymmetry when viewed through the lens of trying to establish if a possible juror is pro- or anti- Trump. Besides, he added that the 42- question document is “already by far the most extensive questionnaire this court has ever used.”

As a reminder, some of the questions jurors will be quizzed on will include ones like: what news do they read? Have they attended a rally for T rump? And are they supporters of extremist movements? Security is tight here outside the Manhattan courtroom where Donald Trump has just taken a seat, as jur y selection for his Ne w Y or k trial gets underway. After Trump’s first criminal indictment last year, which proved to be much more of a circus - and his civil fraud trial last year , the court police have developed a protocol for handling the hordes of press and protesters.