The trial of Donald Trump on charges of falsifying business records to conceal hush money paid to a porn star began in New York on Monday with opening statements from the prosecution and the defence. In the first criminal trial of a former president in US history, prosecuting attorney Matthew Colangelo accused Trump, who was present in the courtroom, of attempting to influence the 2016 elections through the payment of $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. “It was election fraud, pure and simple,” Colangelo said. “This case is about a criminal conspiracy and a coverup.” Daniels said th…