Closing in The former president 'knows he's in trouble'

It was the day that Donald Trump got mugged by reality. After years of dodging legal account-ability, the former US president found himself being driven towards a New York court where he would be charged with a crime

- David Smith

“WOW, they are going to ARREST ME,” he wrote on his Truth Social media platform. Can’t believe this is happening in America.”

Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records relating to hush money payments; it represented only the first drop of rain in what could be a legal thunderstorm, with more cases fast approaching.

Michael D’Antonio, a political commentator and author of The Truth About Trump, said of the first former US president in history to be arrested and arraigned on criminal charges: His attitude prior to this has always been obstinance and a chin-jutting pride and refusal to appear to be affected. But he sure appeared to be affected this time. There was a quality of a cow being led to the slaughter. He must realise that he’s in trouble and that the situation is grave, and that showed on his face.”