Donald Trump claims to have raised over $4,000,000 towards his upcoming presidential campaign in the 24 hours since he was indicted
The former president revealed the figure in a press release last night, in which he maintained the claim that he is the victim of a political witch-hunt.
Mr Trump is facing several charges of falsifying business records, including at least one felony offence.
On Thursday, a grand jury voted to indict him over his role in paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels in an attempt to buy her silence over an alleged affair.
The move will see Mr Trump become the first US president in history to face a criminal charge following his arrest on Tuesday.
Although the indictment against him remains sealed and the specific charges are not known, details have been confirmed by people who requested anonymity.
When Mr Trump turns himself in, he will be booked like anyone else facing charges, with mug shot and fingerprinting.
But he is not expected to be put in handcuffs. He will have secret service protection and will almost certainly be released the same day.
On Thursday, the Trump campaign released a fundraising email within minutes of the announcement.
In a follow-up statement, Trump’s team said he had received donations from all 50 states.
Over 25 per cent of donations reportedly came from first-time donors to the Trump Campaign, further solidifying his status as the frontrunner in the upcoming Republican primary.
‘This incredible surge of grassroots contributions confirms that the American people see the indictment of President Trump as a disgraceful weaponisation of our justice system by a Soros-funded prosecutor,’ the statement read.
Mr Trump has denied any wrongdoing involving payments and has denounced the investigation as a ‘scam’, a ‘persecution’ and an injustice.
On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump accused Democrats of having ‘LIED, CHEATED, AND STOLEN IN THEIR MANIACAL OBSESSION TO “GET TRUMP”.’
He also complained that the judge expected to handle the case, Juan Manuel Merchan, ‘HATES ME’, and said the move is specifically designed to damage his 2024 presidential run.
Trump’s attorney Alina Habba told Sky News: ‘He’s doing well. He’s resilient and strong and, of course, not happy with the news of the indictment. But ready to fight, I would say.
‘We’re seeing selective prosecution. We’re seeing a person who’s been persecuted endlessly.’
‘There won’t be a conviction, so I don’t even need to address it. President Trump will absolutely continue his campaign for presidency.’
The former president is expected to fly to New York on Monday and stay at Trump Tower overnight ahead of his planned arraignment on Tuesday.
He will be arraigned in the same Manhattan courtroom where his company was tried and convicted of tax fraud in December and where disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein’s rape trial took place.
On Friday, officials from the secret service and the New York Police Department toured the court and discussed security plans.
Since Mr Trump’s post on March 18 claiming his arrest was imminent, authorities have ratcheted up security, deploying additional police officers, lining the streets around the court with barricades and dispatching bomb-sniffing dogs.
Since no former president had ever been charged with a crime, there is no rulebook for booking the defendant.
Even for defendants who turn themselves in, answering criminal charges in New York generally entails at least several hours of detention while being fingerprinted, photographed and going through other procedures.
Once the booking is complete, the former president would appear before a judge for an afternoon arraignment.
From Thursday, all 35,000 New York Police Department officers were told to wear their uniform ‘as a precautionary measure’ in the wake of the indictment announcement.
It follows Trump’s call for protest at his arrest, although there has been little to no sign of demonstrations of any great numbers, let alone unrest.
However, Trump is still currently the front-runner among all declared and potential contenders for the 2024 Republican White House nomination.
There is nothing in US law that prevents a candidate who is found guilty of a crime from campaigning for and serving as president – even from prison.
The White House has refused to comment on the proceedings, with both Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris declining to answer questions about his arrest.
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