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Trump indictment updates: Trump speaks out on charges from Mar-a-Lago

PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference following his court appearance over an alleged 'hush-money' payment, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on April 4, 2023.
3:58
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images
Trump enters courtroom to be arraigned
By Aaron Katersky, Emily Shapiro, Morgan Winsor, Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: April 5, 2023, 12:52 AM

Former President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, after being indicted by a Manhattan grand jury last week.

MORE: Trump indictment: What happens next

He is the first former U.S. president to be indicted.

For previous coverage, please click here.

Latest headlines:

  • Trump says hearing had 'no surprises' in 1st social post since arraignment
  • Indictment unsealed
  • Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony counts
  • Photo released of Trump at arraignment
  • Trump processed, fingerprints taken
Here's how the news developed. All times Eastern.

Apr 05, 2023 12:52 AM

Trump: 'Very dark cloud over our beloved country'

In his closing remarks, former President Donald Trump said there is a "very dark cloud over our beloved country."

He addressed the crowd for about 25 minutes.

PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the day of his court appearance in New York after being indicted by a Manhattan grand jury following a probe into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, in Palm Beach, Fla., April 4, 2023.
Marco Bello/Reuters
Former President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the day of his court appearance in New York after being indicted by a Manhattan grand jury following a probe into hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, in Palm Beach, Fla., April 4, 2023.
Marco Bello/Reuters

Apr 05, 2023 12:35 AM

Trump begins speech from Mar-a-Lago

Former President Donald Trump has started his address at his Mar-a-Lago estate, hours after he was arraigned on criminal charges.

"God bless you all. I never thought anything like this could happen in America," were Trump's first words.

Trump claimed the "fake case" was brought "only to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election" and said it should be "dropped immediately."

PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference following his court appearance over an alleged 'hush-money' payment, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on April 4, 2023.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images
Former President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference following his court appearance over an alleged 'hush-money' payment, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on April 4, 2023.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Apr 05, 2023 12:10 AM

Some Trump family members at Mar-a-Lago for speech

PHOTO: Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle attend former president Donald Trump's press conference following his court appearance over an alleged 'hush-money' payment, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on April 4, 2023.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images
Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle attend former president Donald Trump's press conference following his court appearance over an alleged 'hush-money' payment, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on April 4, 2023.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Some members of Donald Trump's family just entered the Mar-a-Lago ballroom for the former president's remarks.

Trump's son Donald Trump Jr., with Kimberly Guilfoyle, and his daughter Tiffany Trump entered the room to loud applause from the crowd.

PHOTO: Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos attend former President Donald Trump's press conference following his court appearance over an alleged 'hush-money' payment, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on April 4, 2023.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images
Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos attend former President Donald Trump's press conference following his court appearance over an alleged 'hush-money' payment, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on April 4, 2023.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News' Will Steakin



Apr 04, 2023 11:56 PM

Trump still revising speech less than an hour before scheduled remarks

Former President Donald Trump was still revising his speech less than an hour before his scheduled remarks at 8:15 p.m. ET, sources said.

Sources said he spent the entire flight to Florida working on his speech. While his remarks are expected to be in a teleprompter, aides are preparing for him to go off script.

Sources described Trump's mood as "determined, resolute and up for the challenge," though that he was also "angry" leaving court this afternoon.

-ABC News' Katherine Faulders, John Santucci and Rachel Scott


Apr 04, 2023 9:12 PM

Trump's attorneys address indictment

In Trump's attorneys' first public comments following Tuesday's arraignment, Todd Blanche said "there were no surprises" in the indictment and that they "plan to fight it hard."

Trump is "upset and frustrated and disappointed and mad that this happened," Blanche told reporters outside the Manhattan courthouse.

PHOTO: Lawyers of former President Donald Trump, Todd Blanche and Joe Tacopina leave the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on Apr. 4, 2023.
Andrew Caballero-reynolds/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Lawyers of former President Donald Trump, Todd Blanche and Joe Tacopina leave the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on Apr. 4, 2023.
Andrew Caballero-reynolds/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Joe Tacopina, another Trump attorney, called the case insufficient and said the unsealing of the indictment "shows that the rule of law died in this country."

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


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