Donald Trump has made history as the first ex-US President to face arrest on criminal charges. The charges are believed to be tied to hush payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016.
Trump departed from his residence at Trump Tower around 1:00 PM local time, acknowledging the cameras with a fist before entering his vehicle.
Former President Donald Trump, currently leading the race for the 2024 Republican nomination, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. These charges were brought against him after an investigation into a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016.
Trump, 76 years old, dressed in a dark blue suit and red tie, displayed little emotion as he waved to the crowd outside the courthouse. He arrived at the location in a motorcade from his New York residence at Trump Tower. Trump has consistently maintained that the charges against him are politically motivated.
The former President, the first sitting or former US president to face criminal charges, was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury last week. However, the specific charges had not been disclosed at that time.
En route to the courthouse, Trump posted on social media, “Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse. It seems so SURREAL – WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America.”
During the arraignment proceeding before Justice Juan Merchan, Trump remained silent as he walked past police and entered the courtroom. An arraignment is when a defendant hears the charges against them and can enter a plea. Trump was fingerprinted, but no mugshot photo was taken.
Despite the indictment or a potential conviction, Trump is still legally allowed to run for President. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat who led the investigation, was scheduled to hold a press conference following the arraignment.
As the legal proceedings continue, Trump’s lead in the Republican Party’s presidential nominating contest has widened, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. The poll, conducted after news of the criminal charges broke, shows that 48% of Republicans want Trump to be their party’s presidential nominee, up from 44% last month.
The Manhattan grand jury that indicted Trump examined evidence regarding a $130,000 payment made to Daniels just before the 2016 presidential campaign. Daniels claims she was paid to remain silent about a sexual encounter with Trump at a Lake Tahoe hotel in 2006. Although Trump denies having a sexual relationship with Daniels, he has admitted to reimbursing his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, for the payment. Cohen later pleaded guilty to federal campaign finance law violations and was sentenced to three years in prison.
