Colombo (News 1st) – Donald Trump became the first current or former U.S. President ever indicted on criminal charges when a Grand Jury in the state of New York on Thursday indicted him on 30 charges of business fraud including hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Trump is alleged to have paid Daniels $138,000 through his attorney for her to stay silent regarding their alleged relationship prior to his becoming president. He served from 2017-2020 before losing a re-election bid to current president Joe Biden. Trump denies the allegations. He is expected to appear in court next Tuesday for arraignment.

Trump this week officially announced his candidacy for the 2024 election from the Republican Party.

Trump issued a statement in response, calling the indictment "Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history".

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