As jury begins deliberations in Trump’s hush-money trial, here’s what happened in the case

<span>Donald Trump in court in New York on 29 May 2024.</span><span>Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images</span>
Donald Trump in court in New York on 29 May 2024.Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump is the first US president to be tried on criminal charges – and could face prison if convicted. Trump allegedly falsified the financial transaction behind the $130,000 hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. He denies 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in spring 2023.

Following closing arguments in court by the defense and prosecution, it’s expected that jury deliberations will begin on Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know about the case.

29 May: what’s happening today

  • Jury deliberations are poised to begin Wednesday after Judge Juan Merchan instructs jurors on the law. Merchan’s directives on the law are intended on guiding jurors about how they are supposed to weigh the case.

  • A jury of 12 people empaneled for the first criminal trial of a former president in US history is made up of seven men and five women who live in different parts of Manhattan, including the Upper East Side, Harlem, Hell’s Kitchen and the West Village.

  • If jurors reach a verdict, they will determine whether he is guilty or not guilty.

  • If Trump is found guilty, Trump faces the prospect of jail – albeit unlikely – when he’s sentenced.

  • Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in relation to paying off Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump is the first US president, former or present, to face a criminal trial. Trump has denied the charge against him.

Key characters and facts

Trump hush-money trial status: Trump pleaded not guilty; the trial began on 15 April 2024.

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Charges: 34 felony charges of falsifying business records.

Hush-money case summary: The case involves a hush-money scheme during the 2016 presidential election. Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen paid $130,000 to the adult film star Stormy Daniels to quash her story about an alleged extramarital affair with the former president. Trump has denied the affair took place. Prosecutors accuse the former president of illegally reimbursing Cohen for the hush-money payment by falsely classifying the transaction, executed by the Trump Organization, as legal expenses.

Verdict before election? Likely.

Key moments in the trial so far