Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Donald Trump pleads not guilty to felony charges

Although Mr Trump declined questions from journalists at the courthouse, he posted on his Truth Social platform minutes before his arrival.

• April 4, 2023
U.S. President Donald Trump
Donald Trump [Photo credit: CNN]

Ex-U.S. president, Donald Trump, who was arrested in Manhattan, New York, Tuesday afternoon, has pleaded not guilty to the 34 criminal charges levelled against him before Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan.

Mr Trump voluntarily surrendered himself to the authorities over his alleged role in paying $130,000 hush money to adult entertainment star, Stormy Daniels, in the days preceding his election victory back in 2016.

The former U.S. leader’s indictment no 71543-23 has been unveiled and it has 34 counts of felony, all of which Mr Trump says he is not guilty of.

Although Mr Trump declined questions from journalists at the courthouse, he posted on his Truth Social platform minutes before his arrival.

“Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse. Seems so SURREAL. WOW, they are going to ARREST ME. Can’t believe this is happening in America,” the ex-president wrote on the social network he founded.

Mr Trump’s arrest is a historic one as this marks the first time a former president will walk into a courtroom as a criminal defendant after a grand jury in Manhattan indicted him last week.

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