Social media users have reacted to former US president Donald Trump releasing a "powerful" election ad ahead of the first day of his Manhattan hush money trial on Monday.

Donald Trump's campaign released a video ahead of his hush money trial in Manhattan court.

Trump posted the video to Truth Social ahead of his criminal trial, framing it as a battle for the freedom of all Americans.

In the video, Trump is quoted: “they’re not coming after me, they’re coming after you, and I just happen to be standing in their way".

No jurors were confirmed on the first day; 50 were dismissed for potential bias, with 32 remaining from an initial pool of 96.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts related to the alleged cover-up of the $130,000 payment to Daniels.