Grim-faced Trump digs in for long criminal trial

"Good morning, Mr Trump."

The innocuous greeting from a New York judge belied the grim expression on Donald Trump's face as he sat flanked by his lawyers in the Manhattan Criminal Courts Monday.

While his legal team tussled with the prosecution over what evidence could be admitted, the first former US president to face a criminal trial listened intently and -- barring a few words spoken in response to Judge Juan Merchan -- silently.

The case, which could prove enormously consequential for both Trump and the country, is being heard in courtroom 1530 inside an imposing, scaffolding-clad Art Deco courthouse on New York City's Centre Street.

Trump wore his signature red tie with a white shirt and dark blue suit and a US flag lapel pin as Merchan declared the trial open.

The 45th president fixed the magistrate with a defiant look, having accused him of being "corrupt" on his Truth Social platform after Merchan declined repeated calls from the defense to recuse himself.

"We want justice to be done, that's all we want," said the judge.

The case is scheduled to last up to two months and centers on payments made to former adult film star Stormy Daniels as Trump closed in on his 2016 election win.

Trump did not disrupt proceedings, which were largely technical, as he has done in other cases.

That includes his civil fraud trial, heard in a nearby courthouse, that resulted in a $355 million civil penalty that he is appealing.

Time may be against Trump, who is campaigning to dislodge President Joe Biden from the White House at November polls, as jury selection alone could take up to two weeks.

More than 100 prospective jurors will be present in court at any one time from a pool of 500.