Donald Trump sat stone-faced as he declared he was not guilty to 34 charges stemming from hush-money payments made during his 2016 election campaign.
New details emerged about a scheme that prosecutors say involved payoffs to two women, including a porn star, who said they had extramarital sexual encounters with him years earlier, as well as to a Trump Tower doorman who claimed to have a story about a child he alleged the former president had out of wedlock.
“In one instance, American Media Inc, paid $30,000 to a former Trump Tower doorman, who claimed to have a story about a child TRUMP had out of wedlock,” the Manhattan district attorney’s office announced Tuesday, referring to the company that owned The National Inquirer at the time.
Trump, stone-faced and silent as he entered and exited the Manhattan courtroom, said “not guilty” in a firm voice while facing a judge who warned him to refrain from rhetoric that could inflame or cause civil unrest.
Trump, his lips pursed in apparent anger, entered the courtroom shortly before 2:30 p.m. He left court about an hour later, also without commenting. All told, the typically verbose Trump spoke only about 10 words during the entire proceeding.
Wearing his signature dark suit and red tie, Trump turned and waved to crowds outside the building before heading inside to be fingerprinted and processed. He arrived at court in an eight-car motorcade from Trump Tower, communicating in real time his anger at the process.
“Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse,” he posted on his Truth Social platform. “Seems so SURREAL — WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America. MAGA!”
Donald Trump is due to return to Florida in the coming hours where he is expected to make a statement.
In a fundraising email to supporters sent after his appearance, Trump said: “While we are living through the darkest hours of American history, I can say that at least for this moment right now, I am in great spirits.”
Trump then asked his supporters to consider contributing to his 2024 presidential campaign, saying: “I have never been more certain that we will win back the White House and save our Great Nation.”
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche told reporters that it was a “sad day for the country.”
“You don’t expect this to happen to somebody who was president of the United States,” he said.
At his press conference, Alvin Bragg asserted that the scheme to pay hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels to suppress the story of her alleged affair with Donald Trump ran afoul of multiple laws.
“The scheme violated New York election law, which makes it a crime to conspire to promote a candidacy by unlawful means,” the Manhattan district attorney said.
“The 130,000 dollar wire payment exceeded the federal campaign contribution cap, and the false statements in [American Media Inc’s] books violated New York law.”
Trump, who was impeached twice by the U.S. House but was never convicted in the U.S. Senate, is the first former president to face criminal charges. The nation’s 45th commander in chief was escorted from Trump Tower to the courthouse by the Secret Service.
The next court date is December 4, though it is not clear if he will be required to appear.
