Trump reluctantly accepts reality and confirms he will return to NYC
‘I will be going to, believe it or not, the courthouse’: Trump reluctantly accepts his sad reality and confirms he will return to NYC today ahead of historic arraignment – as barricades go up in Big Apple amid fears of chaos
- Donald Trump wrote on TruthSocial that he will travel to New York on Monday
- His announcement comes as NYC began bracing for Trump’s indictment by erecting barricades outside of Trump Tower to help control possible protests
- Trump earlier said he planned to address the nation from Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday evening, suggesting he thinks he will be back in Florida quickly
Donald Trump has reluctantly accepted the reality of his indictment – and confirmed he’s returning to New York City ahead of his Tuesday court appearance for allegedly making hush-money payments to pornstar Stormy Daniels.
Barricades and riot control equipment have already been set up in the Big Apple as cops brace the former president’s arrival on Monday afternoon – and the outraged protests his indictment proceedings may bring.
His avid followers have held their own demonstrations near his Mar-a-Lago home, while a beefed-up law enforcement presence was seen outside Trump Tower and the Manhattan Criminal Court ahead of the historic proceeding on Tuesday.
Flurries of furious MAGA fans waved flags and protested in Florida over the weekend – flocking together in fury and brandishing posters that read: ‘Stop the witch hunt!’
Still seemingly in disbelief at the unfolding events, Trump sarcastically told his followers that he would indeed be heading to the courthouse for his arraignment on Tuesday – whether they ‘believe it or not.’
The former president, 76, confirmed his next moves ahead of his pending legal woes as he lamented: ‘America was not supposed to be this way.’
Donald Trump golfs over the weekend ahead of his trip to New York City over his indictment
Gates have been set up around Trump Tower in preparation for the arrival of Donald Trump. He is gearing up to return to New York City ahead of his Tuesday court appearance over his indictment for hush-money payments allegedly made to pornstar Stormy Daniels
Trump supporters demonstrating outside of Mar-a-Lago on Sunday after his indictment
Barricades have been erected outside of Trump Tower in preparation for Donald Trump’s arrival, which is expected to take place on Monday before his hearing on Tuesday
A woman waves a Trump flag outside of Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday
Gates were erected outside of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York City on Sunday
The specifics of Trump’s indictment remain sealed after it was handed down by a Manhattan grand jury Thursday, but reports indicated there could be at least 30 counts related to business fraud.
He is the only current or former president to be indicted in US history.
On Sunday night, Trump clarified his latest intentions in a defiant post on his social media platform, writing: ‘I will be leaving Mar-a-Lago on Monday at 12 noon, heading to Trump Tower in New York.’
‘On Tuesday morning I will be going to, believe it or not, the Courthouse. America was not supposed to be this way!’
Before Sunday, it remained unclear whether or not Trump would willingly return to New York – which was a tense situation already exacerbated by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announcing he would not extradite the ex president if called to do so.
Outside his swanky, golden Trump Tower, rows of metal barricades were seen lining the sidewalk and entrance ahead of what’s set to be a tumultuous week ahead.
NYPD vans also lined Fifth Avenue in anticipation of trouble kicking off – while one Trump fan rested a blessed palm at the entrance to the Tower with the message ‘God bless President Trump,’ on Palm Sunday.
In Florida, loyal Trump followers stood on the side of the road near Trump’s home holding signs that read: ‘I stand with President Donald Trump,’ as people in cars passing by hooted and cheered while waving flags from their windows.
Another MAGA fan sat with a sign: ‘Impeach evil traitor Joe and unamerican Bragg,’ while he waited for vehicles passing near Mar-A-Lago to beep in agreement.
On Sunday, Trump also doubled down on claims that his indictment was an effort to interfere with his 2024 presidential bid, writing ‘ELECTION INTERFERENCE!!!’ in a separate post.
NYPD barricades were waiting on the sidewalk, ready to be put up ahead of Trump’s return to the city
A beefed-up law enforcement presence was seen outside Trump Tower (pictured) and the Manhattan Criminal Court ahead of the historic proceeding on Tuesday.
A man holds a sign calling for the impeachment of President Joe Biden and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg outside of Mar-a-Lago on Sunday ahead of Donald Trump’s arrest
A boat waving pro-Trump flags motors through Palm Beach on Sunday ahead of Trump’s arrest
Earlier, Trump elaborated on his election interference claims, writing that had intentionally been indicted in a city where a fair trial would be ‘impossible,’ along with a litany of other grievances.
‘The Corrupt D.A. has no case,’ he wrote. ‘What he does have is a venue where it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to get a Fair Trial (it must be changed!), and a Trump Hating Judge, hand selected by the Soros backed D.A. (he must be changed!).
‘Also has the DOJ working in the D.A.’s Office – Unprecedented!’
On Sunday, Trump also announced his intention to address the nation at 8:15pm Tuesday night from Mar-a-Lago, indicating he believes he will be back home in Florida hours after he appears in court in New York City.
But DailyMail.com revealed Trump’s attorneys are expecting a judge to slap a gag-order on the former president to prevent him from discussing his charges and arrest.
The extraordinary move to potentially silence a candidate for president will likely enflame Trump’s supporters as he prepares to fly out of his Florida home.
‘The Trump legal team now thinks that the Manhattan judge will take the unprecedented step of silencing the presidential frontrunner with an unconstitutional gag order tomorrow,’ said a source.
‘The Trump legal team is considering adding a First Amendment lawyer to the effort to combat this and will fight it all the way.’
Breaking the gag order could trigger a fine of $1000 and a prison sentence of as much as 30 days, under New York law.
A Trump supporter waving a 2024 flag outside of Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida
Trump supporters cheer each other on outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach on Sunday
A Trump supporter waving a flag and camped outside of Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach on Sunday
Trump supporters outside of Trump Tower on Sunday, a day before he is due to arrive
Gates outside the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump will be arraigned on Tuesday
Gated-off press boxes set up outside of Trump Tower in preparation for his arrival on Monday
Press boxes set up for the BBC and CBS outside of Trump Tower in NYC on Sunday night
Trump could was seen golfing in Florida on Sunday ahead of his arraignment on Tuesday
A Trump supporter wearing a Make America Great Again hat outside Mar-a-Lago on Sunday
While in New York City barricades and gated off press-boxes could be seen being erected across town, outside Mar-a-Lago protesters could be seen waving Trump 2024 flags and holding signs in support of the former president.
Trump is expected to plead not guilty and is planning to return to Florida as soon as possible.
In the meantime the indictment has bolstered his poll numbers and led to a bump in campaign donations.
A poll by Trump’s campaign team found that 51 percent of Republicans see him as their preferred 2024 candidate — putting him ahead of his biggest threat Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who scored 21 percent.
Trump’s team also announced on Saturday it had raised more than $4 million — almost entirely in small donations — in the 24 hours after he was indicted.
The charges are believed to relate to a $130,000 hush money payment made to adult movie actress Stormy Daniels in 2016.
Trump has repeatedly lashed out at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for pursuing a case that had been dropped by federal prosecutors.
And he has also turned his fire on Manhattan’s Acting Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who will hear the case and is believed to be preparing a gag order.
‘The campaign is preparing for this scenario,’ said a Trump campaign source.
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