Jury Selection Begins in Donald Trump’s Hush Money Business Fraud Case in New York

Jury selection in Donald Trump’s hush money business fraud case began in New York on Thursday, with a rocky start as two initial jurors were excused. Despite the challenges, a jury was eventually seated, marking the first criminal trial of a former president in US history.

The trial is expected to be a bumpy one, with the Manhattan district attorney’s office keeping the defense in the dark about their first witnesses to prevent Trump from posting on social media about them. A hearing over what prosecutors can say about Trump’s legal history is also likely to take place on Friday.

The seated jury consists of seven men and five women, including individuals from various professional backgrounds such as an investment banker, a security engineer, and a speech therapist. The jury selection process was not without its challenges, as some jurors expressed negative opinions about Trump but were ultimately allowed to remain on the panel.

As the trial moves forward, Trump’s legal team faces the challenge of not knowing who the prosecution’s witnesses are, adding an element of surprise to the proceedings. With additional jurors yet to be selected, the trial is set to continue with more twists and turns in the days ahead.