Former US President Donald Trump briefly appeared to fall asleep during his hush-money trial in Manhattan, where he faces charges of falsifying business records relating to payments intended to silence adult film actress Stormy Daniels. This incident occurred amidst legal discussions over evidence, briefly capturing attention due to Trump’s past remarks about his opponents’ energy levels. Despite this, Trump later engaged actively with his legal team during the court session.

The trial, significant for being the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president, also included jury selection on its first day, with the judge emphasizing the need for efficient progress due to the number of potential jurors present. Throughout the day, Trump maintained an active presence on his Truth Social platform, posting critiques of the trial and his adversaries.

As the trial proceedings continued, Trump’s lawyers were unsuccessful in their motion for the judge to recuse himself over alleged conflicts of interest. Prosecutors also pushed for a fine against Trump, accusing him of violating a gag order through his social media posts, although Trump’s defense argued that he was simply responding to witness statements.

The challenges of selecting an impartial jury were underscored by Trump’s high-profile status and his history of involvement in various legal issues, including accusations related to election interference and the illegal retention of classified documents. The trial marks a crucial chapter in Trump’s ongoing legal battles, as he also campaigns for a return to the White House.