As jury selection gets underway in the hush money trial of former President Donald Trump, history is being made as he becomes the first former president to stand trial on criminal charges. Trump is facing allegations of arranging payments to two women, Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen, to keep quiet about their alleged affairs with him.

During the proceedings, prosecutors have asked Judge Merchan to hold Trump in contempt of court and impose a fine on him over three social media posts. They have requested a fine of $1,000 per post, claiming that the posts violated a gag order issued against the ex-president.

Over the past month, Trump has taken to social media to disparage the witnesses in the case, referring to them as "two sleaze bags." He also circulated an earlier statement from Daniels and criticized what he perceived as a double standard by the prosecutors. The gag order, which was initially imposed on March 26, prohibits Trump from publicly commenting on witnesses, prosecutors, court staff, and jurors. It has since been extended to include restrictions on speaking about the judge's relatives and the relatives of District Attorney Bragg.

Trump's legal team is challenging the gag order in an appeals court, arguing that the posts in question do not violate its terms. Attorney Todd Blanche maintained that Trump was merely responding to public statements made by the witnesses and was not targeting them personally.

Despite the ongoing legal battle surrounding the gag order, the trial proceedings have begun with Trump exhibiting a relatively muted demeanor in the courtroom. Unlike previous court hearings where he frequently shook his head and was cautioned about speaking out of turn, Trump remained quiet and focused during the arguments about the admissibility of evidence.

During breaks in the proceedings, Trump briefly glanced at reporters before leaving the courtroom under the supervision of his security team. At one point, he flipped through a document at the defense table, showcasing a hint of his usual active engagement.

Meanwhile, Judge Merchan is considering pretrial matters before potential jurors are brought in. Trump's defense attorneys have sought multiple delays, leading to further discussions about procedural matters. However, Judge Merchan has indicated a desire to move forward with the jury selection process, acknowledging the 500 prospective jurors awaiting their turn.

As the trial unfolds, the focus will be on the evidence presented against Trump, including a tape where he was heard boasting about sexually grabbing women without their consent. This trial marks a significant moment in American history, with a former president facing criminal charges in a court of law.

The trial will continue with the selection of jurors, who will ultimately determine Trump's fate in this hush money case.