The President was introduced to the crowd – and the world – with the song blaring at his Mar-a-Lago residence

 
“The next President of the United States” – that’s how Donald Trump was introduced to speak at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

Trump spoke following his arraignment in New York City.

Here’s a recap of the events of today: Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony criminal charges during a court hearing in Manhattan.

Trump is accused of falsifying records to hide damaging information during the 2016 election.

The charges relate to hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, with Daniels claiming she had an affair with Trump.

Judge Juan Merchan did not issue a gag order on Trump, but has asked both sides to be mindful of their language.

The former president emerged to a crowd of supporters accompanied by the song “Proud to be an American.”

In his first public remarks since being charged with the felony counts, Trump denied committing a crime.

He labelled the charges as just “another partisan attack” on his legacy, as he listed the many previous political and legal accusations he has faced off against.

The former president says he “never thought anything like this could happen in America.”

Referencing the 2020 election result, he mentioned President Joe Biden and claimed the U.S. is “going to hell” – to which the audience applauded.

He attacked Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Bragg’s family and the judge assigned to the case – to which he called a “Trump-hating judge with a Trump-hating wife and family”.