Prosecutors in New York City have filed indictments against Donald Trump after convincing a grand jury to agree. The former US President is accused by the city’s top prosecutor, Alvin Bragg, of having misbooked a hush money payment made by his team to porn actress Stormy Daniels in 2016 and thus possibly helping to finance his election campaign. Such an offense can also be punished with imprisonment.
The case
Trump and the 44-year-old are said to have had an affair in 2006, the details of which he apparently preferred to keep secret in the run-up to his ultimately successful presidential candidacy. It’s about $130,000. The incident – like so much that has happened with and through Donald Trump – is unique in US history. The indictment with a total of more than 30 points is to be read next Tuesday (4 April). It can be assumed that the 76-year-old will then be released on bail. Of course, the accused and his followers had a lot to say about the developments online. A number of celebrities have also spoken out.
The reactions
Director Michael Moore reacted in a way that expresses his frustration that the rule of law is slowly grinding and after two failed impeachment proceedings, a series of investigations and countless scandals, there is now (“finally”) a tangible chance of legal consequences.
FINALLY!
SOMETHING. pic.twitter.com/aUarIxBNok— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) March 30, 2023
Author Stephen King tried to remind his Republican followers that the story of a political “witch hunt” being promoted by Trump and his supporters was untenable.
Wise up Republicans. Don’t believe the lies. This isn’t political. Donald Trump did this to himself.
He betrayed your trust.— Stephen King (@StephenKing) March 30, 2023
Film producer Rob Reiner finally expressed his hope that it would not have to stop with this charge.
Trump Indicted! First among many!
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) March 30, 2023
The most well-known client of “Masked Singer” participant Rudy Giuliani is also being investigated in several other cases with the prospect of indictment. This concerns, among other things, the attempt made in 2020 to falsify election results in the state of Georgia in his favor and the discovery of secret state classified information on his private estate Mar-a-Lago in Florida. His role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol storm is also under scrutiny.
For businessman Donald Trump, a legal dispute is nothing that should shock him. It is one of more than 1,000 cases against him and his companies over the years.