Donald Trump arrest: Timeline of Trump’s indictment involving hush money payments

Former President Donald Trump recently appeared in court after being indicted by a Manhattan grand jury. The indictment alleges that he facilitated hush money payments to adult performer, Stormy Daniels, to keep quiet about their affair. The following is a timeline of events:

The alleged affair between Trump and Daniels occurred during the 2016 election cycle, and the $130,000 payment was made by ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, who was later reimbursed by the Trump Organization.

Prosecutors launched an investigation into the falsified business records related to the incident, with Manhattan District Attorney (DA), Alvin Bragg, pressing felony charges citing that the records were falsified to conceal another crime. Trump refused to testify when asked to by the grand jury on March 9.

The following list covers significant events:

July 2006: Porn star Stormy Daniels meets Donald Trump.

May 2011: Daniels gives interview to In Touch magazine, alleging the affair.

2016: Trump becomes the Republican nominee for President, and the alleged payment to Daniels is made.

January 2017: A reimbursement is sought by Cohen after Trump won the election.

2018: Daniels’s claims are made public; Trump denies the allegations.

The FBI conducts a search warrant on Cohen’s properties and office afterwards. Cohen then pleads guilty to eight charges of tax fraud, excessive campaign contributions, illegal corporate contributions, and making false statements to a financial institution. The charges include two women, including Daniels, with whom he said payments had been made to influence the election outcome.

2019: Manhattan DA’s office subpoenas Trump organization’s records related to payments to Daniels and McDougal. Additionally, Trump’s tax returns back to 2011 are subpoenaed. Trump sues the District Attorney’s office.

2020: The Supreme Court rules that Trump must comply with subpoenas.

2021: Trump companies are indicted, and Alvin Bragg is elected Manhattan DA.

2023: Trump refuses to testify before the grand jury, and Cohen testifies instead. Trump is then indicted by the Manhattan grand jury, and he surrenders himself at the courthouse on April 4. The charges allege that he fraudulently falsified business records to hide criminal conduct and conceal damaging information from the public during the 2016 presidential election, among other accusations.

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