As heard on 790 KABC, former President Donald Trump addressed the nation Tuesday evening after pleading “not guilty” to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records during his arraignment in a New York courtroom.
“God bless you all. I never thought anything like this could happen in America,” were Trump’s first words.
Trump took to the stage after returning to his Mar-a-Lago, Florida home and said “The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it.”
In the speech, he called for New York district attorney Alvin Bragg, who he called a “criminal,” to face charges over leaked details of his indictment. Trump also claimed the “fake case” was brought “only to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election” and said it should be “dropped immediately.”
Trump Speaking After Arrest, Arraignment
(Palm Beach, FL) — Former President Trump is responding to the criminal charges against him. Trump said everyone who looked at the case against him says there is none. He added that he never thought anything “like this could happen in America,” saying the only crime he committed was to “fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it.” He made the comments Tuesday night at his Mar-A-Lago estate in Florida. Trump faces dozens of criminal counts in New York City related to alleged illegal hush money payments to kill negative information before the 2016 election. His lawyers say the charges are without any merit.
Trump Leaves For Florida After Arraignment
(New York, NY) — Former President Trump is heading back to Florida after his arrest and arraignment in New York City. He faced 34 charges related to a series of hush money payments he allegedly was part of before the 2016 presidential election. They allegedly involve payments to a porn actress and Playboy model to cover-up affairs, and another to a doorman who allegedly had a story that Trump fathered a child out of wedlock. He pled “not guilty” to all the charges. Trump said he will give a speech after he arrives at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida this evening.
Manhattan DA Announces Charges Against Trump
(New York, NY) — The Manhattan District Attorney is laying out the specific charges against former President Trump. Democratic DA Alvin Bragg is charging Trump with dozens of criminal counts related to alleged illegal hush money payments to kill negative information before the 2016 election. Bragg said Trump conspired with the National Enquirer publisher and others to “catch and kill” these negative stories. Bragg said Trump made false statements regarding these payments, and falsified business records.
Indictment: https://www.manhattanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Donald-J.-Trump-Indictment.pdf
Statement of facts: https://www.manhattanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Donald-J.-Trump-SOF.pdf
They allegedly involve payments to a porn actress and Playboy model to cover-up affairs, and another to a doorman who allegedly had a story that Trump fathered a child out of wedlock. He pled “not guilty” to all the charges.
Next In-Person Trump Hearing Set For Dec. 4
(Washington, DC) — The next in-person hearing for former President Trump’s criminal case in New York is scheduled for December 4th. Trump today pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with concealing hush money payments. He entered the plea before a judge in Lower Manhattan, becoming the first former president to arraigned on criminal charges. The December hearing will take place just months before the official start of the 2024 Republican presidential primary calendar. The Iowa Republican caucuses will be held on February 5th, 2024. This comes as Trump remains the Republican front-runner in the upcoming presidential race.
