Donald Trump, the former US President, is at the centre of significant attention as he navigates both the selection of his vice-presidential candidate for the upcoming election and ongoing legal troubles involving a high-profile case with adult film star Stormy Daniels. While Trump’s vice-presidential selection process has been notably public and dramatic, mirroring the style of reality TV shows, he has yet to announce his choice as of May 2024.

Concurrently, Trump is embroiled in a legal case that began seven years ago, stemming from allegations made by Stormy Daniels. The case pertains to an alleged affair between Daniels and Trump in 2006, followed by a $130,000 hush money payment made through Trump’s lawyer. This saga has led to Trump’s indictment by a Manhattan grand jury on 34 counts related to concealing these payments and related election schemes, marking him as the first former president to face criminal charges.

The trial, which commenced in April 2024, includes Daniels’ direct testimony regarding her alleged encounters with Trump, further intensifying the media and public’s focus on this case. Trump has consistently denied any involvement, while key testimonies and evidence continue to unfold in court.

As these events continue to develop, they intersect with broader political narratives, including President Joe Biden’s condemnation of rising antisemitism and ongoing legal challenges faced by TikTok in the US, highlighting a period of heightened political drama and legal scrutiny in American politics.