Donald Trump appeared in court this Tuesday for his arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to making a lump sum payment to adult film actress Ms. Daniels through his lawyer Mr. Cohen under the guise of a legal fee.
Prosecutors also asked for a January trial date.
Trump’s attorneys said the schedule was “patently unfair” to their client because they haven’t yet been able to review evidence in the case https://t.co/xA7Oqfjlae
— Bloomberg (@business) April 4, 2023
Juan Merchan, the presiding judge over the ex-President’s case in the New York Supreme Court, has set 4th December 2023 for the next hearing. The judge has also rejected Trump’s attorney’s request to allow Trump not to attend his trial.
Also Read| Joe Biden ‘laughed’ when asked if Donald Trump arraignment is ‘divisive’: Report
After stating his plea, Trump traveled back to Florida. Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, has also noted that the Republican presidential candidate is disappointed and frustrated with the charges against him.
At present, Trump faces 34 felony charges, including the hush money payment made via Mr. Cohen and other records of producing falsified business records.
Also Read| Donald Trump’s campaign team releases fake mugshot t-shirt minutes after his arraignment
Donald Trump surrendered himself to the authorities before his arraignment in Lower Manhattan. While on his way to the court, he made a social media post calling his arrest surreal and expressing his utter disbelief at the arrest made against him.
The indictment against Trump came to light when it was revealed that Ms. Daniels had approached the editor-in-chief of the National Enquirer to sell her story of an alleged affair with the ex-president.
Also Read| What are the 34 counts of felony Donald Trump has been charged with?
However, instead of following up with Ms. Daniels, the CEO, and Editor in chief opened up a negotiation deal between Ms. Daniels and Trump’s attorney, Mr. Michael Cohen.
.@JohnGHendy: “The prosecution loosely proposed a January 2024 trial date; Trump’s defense lawyers said they felt spring ’24 might be more reasonable.”
“By then, if polls hold, Trump may once again be the Republican nominee … indictment be damned.” https://t.co/jBJwyjKRbH
— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) April 5, 2023
The negotiations followed a payout from Trump’s side of a whopping $130,000 from Mr. Cohen. This amount was later reimbursed directly from the white house.
Also Read| White House remains silent as Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony counts
This illegal payment was carried out to protect Trump’s then-campaign from any controversy or destruction by suppressing any compromising information.
Numerous exceptions were also made for Trump during his arraignment, such as the non-usage of handcuffs or the taking of a mugshot. These are all standard procedures that are to be carried out for a defendant facing felony charges.
