Former President Donald Trump made headlines once again as he surrendered to authorities at Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday, marking the first time in his life that he was not a free man. The surreal moment in U.S. history saw a former president placed under arrest, with Trump answering "not guilty" to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.


The case revolves around Trump's alleged involvement in directing hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels via Michael Cohen, his former attorney, and fixer. Prosecutors allege that business records concerning Cohen's reimbursement were falsified, including entries in the Trump Corporation's ledger and check stubs. The indictment also references similar efforts by David Pecker, Trump's then-friend who ran the National Enquirer, to suppress damaging stories from Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal and a former Trump doorman.


Despite denying any affair with Daniels, Trump has used the indictment to fundraise some $7 million for his 2024 presidential campaign, with Republican officials and voters rallying to his side, believing he is the victim of a "witch hunt" by the Democratic district attorney.


Trump's lawyers, led by Joe Tacopina, have vowed to defeat the case before it goes to trial, stating that they believe Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's theory of the case is not supported by law. The arraignment has garnered immense media attention, with Trump fans rallying in support of the former president outside the courthouse, though they were drowned out by counterprotesters.