Donald Trump’s criminal trial over hush money to begin in New York

Ex-president becomes first US leader to face a criminal trial, in this case, for paying Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal for a cover up

Donald Trump's criminal hush-money trial involving adult movie actress Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal is scheduled to start on this morning, with jury selection in Manhattan supreme court.

The proceedings mark a momentous day in US history, as Trump is the country's first president - present or former - to face a criminal trial. They also play out against a presidential race in which Trump is the almost certain Republican nominee who regularly bests Joe Biden in head-to-head polls.