Trump trial live updates: 1st day of deliberations wraps with no verdict

The jury is deliberating in Donald Trump's hush money trial in New York.

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Last updated: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 10:49PM GMT
Judge excuses jurors, ending first day of deliberations in Trump's criminal trial
The first day of jury deliberations in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial has concluded after the panel sent two notes to the judge.

NEW YORK -- Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York City, where he is facing felony charges related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been tried on criminal charges.

Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

ByNadine El-Bawab ABCNews logo
May 20, 2024, 6:50 PM

What are the potential outcomes of Trump's hush money trial?

READ MORE: With Donald Trump's criminal trial well underway, experts say there are several potential outcomes.

Former President Donald Trump appears at Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday, May 20, 2024 in New York.
Former President Donald Trump appears at Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday, May 20, 2024 in New York.
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May 29, 2024, 7:48 PM GMT

Trump falsely claims he doesn't know the charges being brought against him

As the jury continues its deliberations, Donald Trump posted on his social media platform in all caps that "I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE CHARGES ARE IN THIS RIGGED CASE."

"I AM ENTITLED TO SPECIFICITY JUST LIKE ANYONE ELSE," he wrote.

The post comes after Trump watched Judge Merchan spend over an hour instructing the jury on the law and specific charges in the case, including each of the 34 counts that the former president faces for falsifying business records in order to hide a hush money payment to boost his prospects in the 2016 election.

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May 29, 2024, 5:40 PM GMT

Trump says 'Mother Teresa could not beat these charges'

"Mother Teresa could not beat these charges," former President Trump told reporters as he exited the courtroom following Judge Merchan's jury instructions.

"We'll see how we do," Trump said as the jury began its deliberations. "It's a very disgraceful situation."

Trump reiterated his grievances with the judge and case's limited gag order, before complaining that he should be on the campaign trail.

"This is five weeks and five weeks of really, essentially, not campaigning," Trump said.

He exited the hallway without answering any questions from reporters.

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May 29, 2024, 5:06 PM GMT

Judge tells parties to stay in building during deliberations

Jurors will deliberate until 4:30 p.m. ET today if they don't reach a verdict sooner, Judge Merchan said.

"You cannot leave the building and you need to be able to get here quickly" when a verdict is reached, the judge told the parties after the jury had left the courtroom.

Former President Trump got up from the defense table and spoke with several associates, then exited the courtroom with his entourage.

The staff and lawyers from the Manhattan district attorney's office also left the courtroom.

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May 29, 2024, 3:36 PM GMT

Elements prosecutors must prove for guilty verdict

Prosecutors are required to prove two elements for each of the counts in order to find Donald Trump guilty, Judge Juan M. Merchan told the jurors.

They must find that he "personally or by acting in concert with another person or persons made or caused a false entry in the records" or a business. Prosecutors must also prove that Trump did so with the intent to commit or conceal another crime.

Prosecutors allege the other crime that Trump intended to commit or conceal was a violation of a state election law regarding a conspiracy to promote or prevent an election by unlawful means.

The alleged unlawful means that jurors must consider are:

1. Violations of federal campaign finance law

2. Falsifying other business records, such as paperwork used to establish the bank account used to pay Stormy Daniels, bank records and tax forms

3. Violation of city, state and federal tax laws, including by providing false or fraudulent information on tax returns, "even if it does not result in underpayment of taxes"