Closing arguments, verdict: Trump’s hush money trial entering final stretch

Prosecutors and defence lawyers to deliver closing arguments this week in historic trial against ex-US President Donald Trump.

After more than four weeks and nearly two dozen witnesses, former United States President Donald Trump’s hush money trial is now entering the final stretch.

Prosecutors and Trump’s defence team will deliver their closing arguments beginning on Tuesday morning in the New York courtroom that has played host to a series of heated exchanges and memorable moments since testimony began in late April.

The jury will then be asked to deliberate and reach a verdict, just months before the country heads to the polls for what is expected to be a closely fought November election between Trump, a Republican, and his Democratic rival President Joe Biden.

Trump, who faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business documents in relation to hush money payments made to an adult film star before the 2016 presidential election, has pleaded not guilty.

Here’s all you need to know about the historic case – the first criminal trial against a former US president – and what comes next.