Donald Trump will appear in court on Monday as the first US ex-president to face criminal charges, a watershed moment for the country as the presumptive Republican nominee campaigns to retake the White House.
The controversy plagued The 77-year-old is accused of manipulating business papers in order to conceal an alleged sexual encounter with adult film actress Stormy Daniels and protect his 2016 presidential campaign from negative press.
The so-called hush money scandal is only one of four criminal cases pending against Trump, and some legal experts believe it is the least serious.
But the real possibility of Trump being a convicted felon — and even facing jail time — adds an unprecedented wild card to an already volatile election.
The right-wing populist is campaigning with sinister promises of “vengeance” against Democratic President Joe Biden, who defeated him in 2020.
Trump has stated that he will take the stand in the case, which begins at 1330 GMT, an unusual and frequently perilous step for defendants.
“I’ve been indicted more than Al Capone, the great gangster,” Trump told roaring fans at a rally Saturday in Pennsylvania, a key swing state.
“There is absolutely nothing here,” he insisted. “There is no misdemeanor, there is no felony, there’s no federal crime.”
However, before Trump’s testimony, the trial will begin on Monday with a likely protracted and acrimonious selection process for 12 jurors and their alternates.
Trump alleges ‘lawfare’
Judge Juan Merchan’s pool of regular residents must complete a questionnaire, which includes questions about their membership in far-right groups.
The actual charges are based on extremely sophisticated financial legislation.
Trump is accused of unlawfully concealing remittances to his longtime attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen, who used the funds to pay Stormy Daniels to remain silent about the alleged sexual encounter in the final weeks of the 2016 election campaign.
In March 2023, a New York grand jury indicted Trump on 34 counts of falsifying company documents related to payments paid to Stephanie Clifford, often known as Daniels.
He disputes the charges and may use the trial, which could last up to two months, to condemn what he calls “lawfare” and election interference by his political opponents.
The trial was seen as “a full-frontal assault on American democracy” by his campaign staff.
“These charges are entirely fabricated in order to interfere with the election,” according to a statement from the Trump campaign.
Trump further says that he will not receive a fair trial in predominantly Democratic New York.
However, the real estate magnate and longstanding reality TV show star is utilizing the spotlight as an unexpected campaign boost, portraying himself as a victim and raising funds through fan fury.
Even if convicted, he may appeal and would still be able to run for president on November 5.
Influence on election
Trump’s other three criminal investigations, which revolve on his alleged stockpiling of top-secret materials in Florida after leaving the White House and his role in attempts to overturn the 2020 election, have all been delayed many times.
In the New York case, Trump has consistently failed to secure major delays, and Merchan has indicated that he will handle the trial with firmness.
Last Monday, the judge expanded an existing gag order, imposed to prevent Trump from assaulting individuals involved in the trial, to include family members of the judge and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the chief prosecutor.
The directive was expanded after Trump lashed out at Merchan and his daughter in a series of Truth Social tweets.
“The American people and many voters do consider important whether a jury concludes that Trump is guilty of engaging in criminal misconduct,” said University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias.
“This finding might influence how they vote this November.”
There is scant compassion for Trump in New York, where he has spent decades as an entrepreneur, celebrity playboy, politician, and now criminal defendant.
“I’m not sure if he’ll get a fair trial, but whatever happens, he brought it upon himself,” said caregiver Alberto Vasquez, 45.