
A look at the start of this historic trial in 21 images and facts.
The first time

The trial in New York began on April 15, 2024, marking the first time an American president, sitting or not, has been criminally prosecuted.
Bribes

Former President Trump is accused of paying bribes as part of payments to silence Stormy Daniels.
Up to 8 weeks

Trump must be present throughout the trial, which will run four days a week and could last eight weeks.
Jury selection

The jury selection process has begun, with accusations of alleged payments to Stormy Daniels hidden as legal fees.
130000$

A $130,000 payment orchestrated by Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen is at the center of the trial.
Campaign finance laws

Charges include potential violation of campaign finance laws, election interference and fraud.
34 charges

Donald Trump faces 34 counts related to falsification of business records.
4 years

The maximum penalty for conviction is four years in prison.
Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, could testify despite being convicted of separate tax offenses.
Stormy Daniels

Testimony is also being considered from Stephanie Clifford (Stormy Daniels) and Karen McDougal, who claim to have had affairs with Trump and received hush payments during the 2016 campaign.
Major legal significance

This trial is of major legal importance and could set significant precedents in American legal history.
New York

All eyes are on New York as this captivating story unfolds.
The beginning

The trial has just begun, with jury selection and opening arguments from the prosecutors!
Facing the media

Trump was accompanied by his lawyer, Todd Blanche, to face the media.
Stormy Daniels

In particular, Trump is accused of having concealed payments to Stormy Daniels that he had initially denied before later admitting that she had indeed received a significant sum of money. How these payments were made is at the heart of the case.
Falsifying documents

Trump will also have to face charges from prosecutors about falsifying documents.
A scandal

Prosecutors say the charges are related to an attempt to cover up a potential scandal that occurred before and after the 2016 presidential election.
Unprecedented

This unprecedented criminal trial, preceded by meticulous jury selection by the defense, is attracting intense interest from the media, Americans and the world!
The 2016 election

Prosecutors argue that Trump took part in a meeting for the purpose of falsifying legal documents.
The defense

In their opening arguments, the defense asserts that all actions taken in this case were carried out legally, from their point of view.