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Updated Apr 4, 2023, 03:28pm EDT
Topline
Former President Donald Trump walked silently and did not acknowledge reporters’ questions as he entered a Manhattan courtroom to enter a plea on criminal charges Tuesday afternoon, arriving 15 minutes after his arraignment was scheduled to begin—but it’s unclear what caused the delay.
Former President Donald Trump sits at the defense table with his legal team in a Manhattan court on … [+] Tuesday.
Key Facts
Trump reportedly pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records before Judge Juan Merchan.
It’s not known why Trump’s arrival at the arraignment was delayed—he spent more than an hour under arrest at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse before his hearing.
Trump was expected to make a brief statement to reporters in a hallway outside the courtroom, but he appeared somber and made no comment prior to his arraignment—he also did not speak after he walked out of the hearing following roughly an hour in the courtroom.
Trump called his arrest “SURREAL” in a Truth Social post while traveling from Trump Tower to the courthouse, saying, “Can’t believe this is happening in America.”
The former president is facing charges related to an alleged hush money payment sent to porn star Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 campaign to keep her from going public about an affair she claimed to have with Trump years earlier—which he has denied.
Photos
Trump awaits his arraignment in a Manhattan courtroom Tuesday.
Trump and his legal team sit in a Manhattan courtroom Tuesday prior to his arraignment.
Trump listens to his defense team before his arraignment inside a Manhattan courtroom Tuesday.
Trump looks toward cameras as his defense team prepares for his arraignment in a Manhattan courtroom … [+] Tuesday.
Trump turns toward the bench as he awaits his arraignment in a Manhattan courtroom Tuesday.
Trump looks downward in a Manhattan courtroom prior to the start of his arraignment Tuesday.
Trump and his defense team prepare for his arraignment in a Manhattan courtroom Tuesday.
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