The recent arrest of former American President Donald Trump has caught the eye of not just the American public but people all over the world. Post his arrest, Trump was charged with 34 counts of felony which include hiding evidence to influence elections and hush money payments to po** star Stormi Daniels and former playboy model Karen Mcdougal. These payments were made with the intention of making sure the information of his se** encounters with them would not reach the public. While the payments themselves are felonies misdemeanours, the fact that Trump hid financial discrepancies in the state of New York with the intention of hiding a crime is what places his case on shaky grounds. If found guilty, Trump could be looking at a prison sentence of roughly 4 years.
A solemn Donald Trump was seen sitting with folded hands in court while the charges were read out to him. At one point the judge was even heard questioning him about whether he understood a charge and its implications. When asked how he would like to plead Trump answered with a simple and stoic “Not guilty”. Needless to say, his position as the front runner of the republican candidature in the 2024 election is questionable at best. For him to return to the fold he would have to quash the charges against him, an uphill battle to say the least.
The political landscape in America is divide over the causes and the implications of these events. The left end of the spectrum is rejoicing in the idea that trump will finally have to pay the piper. The republican right on the other hand sees this as an underhand political maneuver designed to take the greatest threat to the democrats out of the running. In their mind this is a blatant misuse of the power the democrats enjoy as their president sits in the oval office. On the face of it the republican party seems reluctant to speak against Trump although it is widely known that he has many detractors with in his ranks. It would not be a surprise to see wide spread backing for another candidate should one of considerable caliber emerge.