The criminal trial of former US President Donald Trump has commenced in New York with opening statements and the presentation of evidence on Day 1 of proceedings. Trump's lawyer, Alina Habba, criticized the proceedings as 'witch hunt after witch hunt.' Meanwhile, Trump himself described the charges related to hush money as mere bookkeeping discrepancies, dismissing them as routine legal expenses. The trial has sparked a variety of reactions, with some labeling it a 'sham' and others emphasizing the gravity of the accusations, including alleged election fraud.