Trump hush-money trial: defense argues ‘nothing wrong with trying to influence an election’ – as it happened

This live blog is now closed. You can see our latest reporting below:

• Hush money was election fraud pure and simple', prosecutors say
• Key takeaways from opening statements

Donald Trump is walking into the courtroom, trailed by a procession of attorneys and paralegals, in advance of opening statements in his hush-money trial.

A coterie of photographers has entered the courtroom to snap photos of the ex-president who, in moments, will be the first commander-in-chief, present or former, to face opening statements in a criminal trial.