NEW YORK — For the first time in the nation’s history, a former U.S. president will go on trial Monday when jury selection kicks off in District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case against Donald Trump focused on an illicit hush money payoff to Stormy Daniels.

The scheme at the heart of the case has long been public knowledge, first hitting the headlines in January 2018 when a bombshell story in the Wall Street Journal reported that Michael Cohen, the president’s personal lawyer, had silenced a porn star who alleged she slept with Trump in a scheme to secure Trump’s win in the 2016 presidential election.

The twists and turns in the ensuing years saw Cohen flip on Trump and go to prison, Daniels become a household name, both disparaged endlessly by the former president on social media, and too many book deals to list.

The sensational saga is poised to reach its crescendo when the main characters collide at the 100 Centre St. trial, where a jury of Manhattanites will weigh whether Trump committed crimes the last time he was within reach of the presidency as he vies for another victory this November.

Here’s a refresher on what to know about the historic hush money case:

What is the trial going to look like?

Trump and his Secret Service entourage are expected to descend on the lower Manhattan courthouse around 9 a.m. Monday, along with throngs of reporters, photographers, prospective jurors, and potentially protesters.

The trial is expected to last six weeks, including the jury selection process, which could take weeks as the judge and two sides sift through hundreds of New Yorkers to find 12 unbiased jurors and six alternates.

Unlike his past civil trials, Trump is expected to be present in the downtown courthouse every day unless he requests otherwise. He told reporters late Friday he plans to testify.

What crimes is Trump accused of?

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