Summary

  • Donald Trump has given a defiant address to his supporters after becoming the first former US president to face a criminal charges

  • Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 criminal charges during a historic court hearing in New York on Tuesday

  • He returned to Florida immediately after where he told an audience that the case was "an insult to our country"

  • "Our country is going to hell," he said, listing all the ways that he claims to have been persecuted

  • Trump also lashed out at the judge and prosecutors and claimed the case against him was politically-motivated

  • The 2024 White House contender is accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush payments to two women during his 2016 election run

  • Trump's team will have until August to file any motions against the case. The next court hearing is set for December

Live Reporting

Edited by Nathan Williams and Alex Therrien

  1. Payments to Cohen were clearly illegal - Bragg

    Bragg says the payments recorded by Donald Trump were clearly illegal.

    He says:

    He could not simply say that the payments were a reimbursment for Mr Cohen's payments to Stormy Daniels. To make that true statement would have been to admit a crime. So instead Mr Trump said he was paying Mr Cohen for fictitious legal services in 2017 to cover up actual crime committed the prior year."

    He says in order to make sure Mr Cohen got all of his money back, they had a "final scheme" - to have Cohen declare the payments as income to tax authorities in New York.

  2. More now from Bragg.

    He says Trump claimed he was paying Michael Cohen for legal services in 2016.

    "This simply was not true", Bragg says.

    He goes on to say this was a false statement Trump made month after month in 2017.

    "For nine straight months, the defendant held documents in his hand containing this key lie," he adds.

    He alleges that Trump signed cheques for Cohen over each of the nine months.

    Bragg says Trump made these false statements to cover up crimes related to the 2016 election.

    Remember, Michael Cohen is the former Trump lawyer who has admitted paying porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 (£100,000) before the 2016 election in exchange for her silence on an alleged past sexual relationship with Trump, which he denies.

  3. We will not normalise serious criminal conduct - Bragg

    Alvin Bragg: 'We cannot normalise criminal conduct'

    Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is speaking now.

    Bragg says this case is about 34 false statements made to cover up other crimes.

    "These are felony crimes in New York State no matter who you are. We can not and will not normalise serious criminal conduct," Bragg says.

    He says Trump repeatedly made false statements on New York business records and caused others to make false statements.

    He claimed he was paying Michael Cohen for legal services, Bragg says. He says plainly that "this was not true".

  4. Bragg speaking now
    Breaking

    We're now hearing from New York district attorney Alvin Bragg. He's the man bringing the charges against Donald Trump

    Stay with us.

  5. 'The rule of law died in this country' - Trump attorney

    We've just heard from Trump's legal team.

    Speaking to reporters outside the court, attorney Todd Blanche said the judge requested everyone involved in the case to not use language that would incite violence - not just Trump.

    Joe Tacopina, another one of Trump's lawyers, said the unsealing of the indictment showed "that the rule of law died in this country".

    "While everyone is not above the law, no one is below it either. And if this man's name was not Donald J Trump, there is no scenario we'd all be here today," he added.

    They declined to comment on whether Trump was fingerprinted or had a mugshot taken when being processed.

    'The rule of law died in this country' - Trump's lawyer

  6. In the courtroom: How it ended after 57 minutes

    Kayla Epstein
    Reporting from the courthouse

    Donald Trump is now leaving New York but here's a bit more of what I saw in the courtroom earlier.

    The judge brought proceedings to a close after nearly an hour. When it was over, Trump stood up and was immediately surrounded by his Secret Service detail.

    The former president then spoke quietly to his lawyers, but he was inaudible to the press sitting a few rows behind him. Then he turned and walked down the centre aisle of the courtroom, and out of the the rear door he had first entered.

    He said nothing to the press. His expression was serious.

  7. Trump leaving New York

    Donald Trump is on his private plane at New York's La Guardia airport on his way back to his home in Florida.

    We are expecting him to speak at his Mar-a-Lago estate at 20:15 local time (01:15 BST).

    Trump's plane at La Guardia airportReuters

  8. In the courtroom: Trump's social media posts mentioned

    Kayla Epstein
    Reporting from the courthouse

    At one point the judge reminded the former president- respectfully but also firmly - that if he or any defendant behaved in an unruly or disruptive manner, they might lose the right to be present at their trial.

    At another point, as they were making their arguments, prosecutors mentioned that that the defendant - Donald Trump - "has made threatening posts on social media”.

    They referenced social media posts from Trump including one that warned of potential "death and destruction" if he faced criminal charges.

    The prosecution said they were of concern in these proceedings.

  9. What to know about the charges

    Here is more about what's in the 34-count indictment:

    • The court filing says the former president "with intent to defraud and intent to commit another crime and aid and conceal the commission thereof, made and caused a false entry in the business records of an enterprise"
    • The charges against Trump are all Class E felonies. That is the lowest category of felony offence in New York and carries a maximum prison sentence of four years per count
    • Falsifying business records is usually prosecuted as a misdemeanour
    • The Manhattan district attorney's office is escalating the charge by alleging the offence was committed in order to conceal or commit another crime
    • Trump has pleaded not guilty on all the charges

  10. In the courtroom: Trump expressionless in sober hearing

    Kayla Epstein
    Reporting from the courthouse

    Trump in courtReuters

    Shortly after 14:30 local time, Donald Trump walked into the courtroom escorted by several secret service members. His face was expressionless and his steps were heavy and slow.

    He sat in the front row for proceedings. It was short of fireworks, and was very official. There was no circus-like atmosphere.

    The judge presided in a calm and even tone and never raised his voice. He spoke politely and calmly and firmly to Donald Trump, making sure the former president understood his rights.

    Trump sat silently throughout almost the entire proceedings. He only spoke when he was required to, either by pleading not guilty or by answering to the judge when addressed directly.

  11. Trump repeatedly falsified business records - prosecutor

    As we just reported, the 34-count indictment of Donald Trump has been released by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

    He accuses Trump of repeatedly falsifying business records to conceal crimes. Trump has pleaded not guilty on all charges.

    In a statement, Bragg said:

    The People of the State of New York allege that Donald J. Trump repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal crimes that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election."

    Manhattan is home to the country’s most significant business market. We cannot allow New York businesses to manipulate their records to cover up criminal conduct.

    As the Statement of Facts describes, the trail of money and lies exposes a pattern that, the People allege, violates one of New York’s basic and fundamental business laws."

  12. No gag order placed on Trump
    Breaking

    We're just now getting more details from our reporter who was in the courtroom.

    The judge has not placed a gag order on Donald Trump but warned him that the issue would be revisited if the ex-president continued with his heated rhetoric about the case.

    A gag order would have prohibited Trump, his attorneys, other parties and witnesses from speaking about the case publicly.

    It usually happens when there's a risk that statements could be made that could incite violence or be viewed as threatening to prosecutors or witnesses.

    Violating a gag order means you can be found to be in criminal contempt of court.

  13. Trump's indictment sheet released online
    Breaking

    Anthony Zurcher
    BBC North America correspondent

    The New York County District Attorney’s Office has just publicly released Donald Trump’s indictment sheet.

    We are currently reviewing it and will have more details shortly.

  14. Trump's legal team

    Photo of Donald Trump and his legal teamGetty Images

    Donald Trump’s court appearance has now ended, but let's take a quick look at the defence team that just represented him in Manhattan.

    From left to right, they are:

    • Todd Blanche, a former federal prosecutor tapped on Monday to lead Trump's defence in this case
    • Susan Necheles, a litigator famous for once representing the Genovese crime family underboss Venero "Benny Eggs" Mangano
    • Joe Tacopina, an outspoken criminal defence attorney who has promised that any charges against the former president will be fought vigorously
    • Boris Epshteyn, whose phone was seized by federal agents last year in apparent connection with the investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results

  15. No comment from Joe Biden

    Bernd Debusmann Jr
    Reporting from the White House

    Joe Biden at science and technology meetingGetty Images

    US President Joe Biden is still staying quiet on today's events in New York.

    Biden has been meeting science and technology experts at the White House, but didn't answer any questions shouted by reporters when asked about his predecessor appearing in court in Manhattan.

  16. Silence as Trump leaves court

    Motorcade is escorting Trump away from the courthouseReuters

    A motorcade is escorting Trump away from the courthouse in Lower Manhattan now.

  17. Trump has left courtroom after nearly an hour
    Breaking

    Donald Trump has left the courtroom in Manhattan. He made no comment and ignored questions from reporters. We estimate he was in the room for about 57 minutes.

    We are expecting him to head back to his home in Florida, where it's expected he will speak later.

  18. What can we expect from Trump after the arraignment?

    After the arraignment, Trump is expected to be released.

    When the court hearing is over, he will rejoin his motorcade, which is waiting for him just outside the courtroom and which he used earlier to travel from Trump Tower. He is not expected to leave the courthouse through the front of the building because of security concerns.

    He is then expected to get on his private jet and return to Florida tonight.

    If there is no gag order, he is expected to give a speech to his supporters in Mar-a-Lago when he gets there tonight.

    Before he sets off for the airport after the court hearing, it is possible he could briefly speak to the reporters waiting for him outside the courtroom.

  19. 'Trump or death': Supporters gathered outside court

    Morgan Gisholt Minard
    Reporting from New York

    Dion shows his support with his flag in New York

    Dion shows his support for Trump with this flag in New York

    Dion is waving a giant flag outside the courthouse that reads “TRUMP OR DEATH”. He says there’s not a single thing Donald Trump could do, illegal or not, that would compromise his support.

    “He once said ‘If I shoot someone on Fifth Avenue, I would still be president,’ and I believe that,” he says.

    “Because the more important issue than any shooting is saving this country.”

    Dion’s T-shirt claims that “Trump won” on the front.

    On the back of his shirt, he’s got his son Max’s smiling face, decked out in "MAGA" swag.

    It’s to remind Dion that he is “fighting for Max, for a better future for him - because we can’t afford not to".

  20. We'll be hearing from the prosecutor shortly

    Sam Cabral
    Reporting from Washington DC

    Alvin BraggGetty Images

    We are expecting to hear from New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg today at around 15:30 (20:30 BST). It is the first time Bragg will comment publicly on the case.

    Bragg made history in 2021 as the first black man elected New York County district attorney.

    The spotlight around him has in the last week grown brighter as the first prosecutor - at the federal, state or local level - to bring criminal charges against a former American president.

    Bragg, 49, took over the investigation led by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office two years ago.

    Read more on him here.