In response to allegations that he paid hush money to a p*rn star before the 2016 election, former US President Donald Trump said he anticipates being “arrested” on Tuesday and urged his fans to protest.
Citing a “leak” from the Manhattan district attorney’s office, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Saturday morning: “Leading Republican candidate & former President of the United States of America will be arrested on Tuesday of next week. Protest, take our nation back!”
The $130,000 paid weeks before the 2016 elections to prevent Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, from disclosing details of an alleged romance she allegedly had with Trump years earlier, is the subject of the inquiry.
It’s widely believed that an indictment against Trump is likely as prosecutors consider whether or not to charge him in the investigation.
The 76-year-old Trump would become the first former president to be charged with a felony if the Manhattan district attorney were to file an indictment against him. It would also jeopardize his efforts to secure the GOP presidential nomination for the 2024 general election.
On Friday evening, Trump’s attorney told CNBC that if his client were to be charged by a Manhattan grand jury, he would turn himself in to face criminal charges.
Trump denies accusation
Trump has denied a romance between himself and Daniels and criticized the probe as being politically motivated.
The probe was “based on an old & fully debunked (by numerous other prosecutors!) fairytale,” Trump said in his post, which was written in all caps. He also mentioned “illegal leaks from a corrupt & highly political Manhattan district attorney’s office.”
On Wednesday, Daniels met with the prosecution and “agreed to make herself available as a witness, or for further inquiry if needed,” according to her lawyer Charles Brewster.
Trump was given the chance to testify earlier this month by the office of District Attorney Alvin Bragg, but is anticipated to decline in order to avoid possibly incriminating himself.
According to experts, the invitation is a hint that he would most likely face charges.
Former Trump attorney and adversary Michael Cohen appeared before a grand jury in New York on Monday. Cohen made the payment to Daniels and said he was later reimbursed.
