Former US president Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to 34 felony counts in a Manhattan courtroom.

The indictment, filed by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, alleges that the former president orchestrated a scheme to conceal a $130,000 hush‑money payment to adult‑film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign. Prosecutors say the scheme involved falsifying business records, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of up to four years in prison per count.

Charges and Allegations

According to the indictment, the alleged conduct spanned 2015 and 2016, when Trump was a private businessman and later a candidate. The 34 counts encompass three separate alleged falsifications of corporate documents, each linked to the payment and its concealment. The Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, described the case as "the most serious criminal case ever brought against a former US president".

Trump's legal team, led by attorney Todd Blanche, responded that the charges are "politically motivated" and that the former president "did nothing illegal". The defence argued that the payment was a private matter and that corporate records were not intentionally altered.

Manhattan courthouse exterior

Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the arraignment, reminded both sides that the trial could last several months and that the defendant faces a potential cumulative sentence of over a decade if convicted on all counts. The courtroom was packed with reporters, supporters holding "Make America Great Again" signs and protesters demanding accountability.

Political Fallout

Democratic leaders seized on the plea as evidence of alleged corruption, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R‑TX) urging the Senate to consider impeachment‑style proceedings despite Trump no longer holding office. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D‑NY) said the case "underscores the rule of law" and warned that any attempt to interfere with the judicial process would erode democratic norms.

Republican figures were more measured. Former Vice President Mike Pence called for "due process" while GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley said the indictment "should not distract" from policy debates ahead of the 2028 election. In an interview, Republican strategist Karl Rove warned that the case could polarise the electorate further, but added that "the American people will decide".

International observers noted the rarity of a former head of state facing criminal charges. The BBC reported that European allies expressed "concern about the stability of US democratic institutions", while the Kremlin characterised the trial as "a domestic political spectacle".

What Comes Next

The trial is scheduled to begin on 15 November, with a jury selection period set for early October. Both prosecution and defence have filed pre‑trial motions, including a request by the defence to suppress certain financial records. Legal analysts predict that the case could set precedents for how financial crimes involving political figures are prosecuted.

Trump remains eligible to run for president in 2028, and his campaign committee has already begun fundraising for a potential comeback. Political scientists say the indictment could reshape voter attitudes, particularly among swing‑state independents, but note that historical data on criminal charges against candidates is mixed.

As the legal battle unfolds, the nation watches a former president navigate a courtroom that could become a defining chapter in US political history.