Trump pleads not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records – Xinhua English.news.cn

Former US President Trump (middle). (Archyde.com)

A simulation of Trump’s court appearance. (Archyde.com)

Former U.S. President Trump appeared in court at 2:15 p.m. New York time on Tuesday 4th (2:15 a.m. Taiwan time 5th) in the case of paying porn star “Stormy Daniels” (Stormy Daniels). Trump arrived at the Manhattan prosecutor’s office in New York on the followingnoon of the 4th local time. Trump refused to plead guilty in court.

According to the indictment, Trump illegally paid hush money to porn star “Storm Daniels” and Playboy magazine playmate Karen McDougal before the 2016 election so as not to hinder his presidential campaign.

According to comprehensive media reports, Trump will be charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. According to people familiar with the matter, in order to strengthen his team of lawyers, Trump hired a well-known white-collar criminal defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor Blanche ( Todd Blanche)

Trump earlier posted on Truth Social, a social platform he created, “Going to lower Manhattan, courthouse. Looks so surreal – wow, they’re going to arrest me. Can’t believe this happened in U.S”

Trump appeared in court today in the hush money case. Under U.S. law, expect to be formally charged, fingerprinted and mugshotted. Trump will compete for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election and is currently in the lead. This case can be regarded as a major turning point before the election.

The next hearing date that Trump needs to attend in person is December 4 this year. Trump will then return to Mar-a-Lago, Florida, and is expected to deliver a speech at 8:15 pm on Tuesday (8:15 am on Wednesday, Taiwan time).

U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his views on Trump’s formal arrest. He said he would follow up on the situation, but emphasized that it was not his focus. In addition, regarding the possible riots in New York City, Biden said that he has confidence in the New York City Police Department (NYPD).