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Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Politics, Crime, Money, True crime, World News
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, Politics, Crime, Money, True crime, World News
Donald Trump has been formally charged with 34 felony counts after being arrested earlier today.
The former President of the United States was arrested over an alleged hush money payment of $130,000 (£104,000) made to adult star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential election campaign.
Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges of falsifying business records.
Shortly before his arrest, the 76-year-old took to his platform Truth Social, writing: "Heading to Lower Manhattan, the Courthouse. Seems so SURREAL - WOW, they are going to ARREST ME.
"Can't believe this is happening in America. MAGA [Make America Great Again]!"
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The post follows another of a similar nature, predicting his arrest today (3 April) posted on 21 March, which reads: "Illegal leaks from a corrupt & highly political Manhattan district attorney's office ... indicate that, with no crime being able to be proven ... the far & away leading Republican candidate & former president of the United States of America, will be arrested on Tuesday of next week.
"Protest, take our nation back!"
Trump's arrest has been a long-time in the works, with investigations into his personal, political and business arrangements having been ongoing for several years.
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The investigation which led to Trump finally being indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on 31 March, stems from allegations from Daniels that she had a sexual encounter with the former US President in Lake Tahoe in 2006 and that he allegedly paid her to keep quiet about it.
The investigation also looked into another woman - ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal - who similarly claimed she had a sexual encounter with Trump and was paid a six-figure sum to prevent her from going public.
As well as denying he had any involvement in paying Daniels and McDougal, Trump has also denied having any sexual relationship with either women.
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Despite Trump having been arrested, charged and having pleaded not guilty to the 34 felony charges, the exact details of the charges have not yet been released, other than that they are in relation to business fraud.
If convicted of falsifying business records, you can face up to four years in prison. So, if Trump were convicted of all counts, he could face a maximum sentence of 136 years.
Trump's arrest mark a significant moment in American history - the first time time any current or former US President has faced criminal charges.