My name is Corinne Ramey. I cover courts for the Wall Street Journal and I am

downtown sort of about a block away from the criminal courthouse in New York City,

and here for the first criminal trial of Donald Trump.

Former President Donald Trump is facing four criminal cases and the first got underway today. So right now, I see a ton of news trucks, a lot of security.

There's long lines, but other than that, it's quiet.

This morning, Corin was in the courtroom, listening to opening statements.

Trials are often about stories and sort of about competing narratives, and we don't really

know the story that both sides are going to tell until they tell that story in their opening statements to the jury.

It's a really big deal because it's the first time that the jurors in the case are going to hear from both the prosecutors

and the defense attorneys about the details of the case.

The case has to do with Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

Prosecutors allege that Trump covered up a payment to

porn star Stormy Daniels in order to keep her quiet about their alleged affair.

He was charged with creating false business records related to the payment.

Trump has pleaded not guilty.

You know, I've seen Trump in New York courthouses a fair amount in the past several months.

Saw him at the E. Jean Carroll trial at the civil fraud trial, but there's something sort of striking about seeing him in a criminal courtroom in this

building that's sort of drab and dingy and it's just not the kind of place you expect to see a former president.

Welcome to the journal, our show about money, business, and power.

I'm Ryan Knutzen. It's Monday, April 22nd.

Coming up on the show, Trump's first criminal trial begins. This episode is brought to you by Empower. If you're like most people you've had your fair share of financial questions.

Questions like, will you be able to afford a third kid?

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