Trump said 9 words and did not smile as he was hit with a 34-count felony indictment on business fraud charges
A grand jury indicted Donald Trump on 34 felony business fraud charges, alleging that Trump made payments to kill bad press before the 2016 election.
Andrew Kelly/AP
- Former President Donald Trump was criminally indicted in Manhattan on Tuesday.
- He became the first current or former US president to ever be criminally charged.
- In court, he spoke sparsely and did not crack a smile as he sat with his counsel.
Former president Donald Trump uttered just nine words at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse on Tuesday, where he was indicted on dozens of charges related to falsifying business records.
On Tuesday, a grand jury indicted Trump on 34 felony business fraud charges, which included allegations that Trump arranged a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, as well as other payments meant to stifle negative press ahead of the 2016 election.
In court, Trump sat with his counsel and spoke as little as possible, pleading not guilty to the charges.
Trump spoke only in response to questions from prosecutors, first pleading "not guilty" when asked to enter his plea.
He also answered affirmatively to questions about understanding the need for conflict-free counsel, waiving his right to presence, and answered "yes," when prosecutors asked if he understood that they had the ability to later impose a sentence without him present.
The former president was also asked if he understood that were he to become disruptive, proceedings could carry on without him present.
"I do," Trump answered.