New Delhi: Former US President Donald Trump was on Friday indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, in connection with hush money case related to adult fim star Stormy Daniels. With this, Trump has become the first US President to face criminal charge and this will undoubtedly have many political & legal ramifications for him & his Presidential bid too.
The indictment of 76-year-old Republican has time & again denied having any links with the porn star and also rubbished allegations of hush money payment to her ahead of his election as US President in 2017. Whether his indictment in the case upends his chances of running in the US Presidential race or not, it is bound to ruin the legacy of a former US President, the first such instance in US history.
Stormy Daniels is well-known adult film actress, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. She claimed that she was given ‘hush money’ for staying mum about a sexual encounter she had with Donald Trump in 2006.
Though, Trump all along denied any kind of affair or fling with Daniels, his lawyer Michael Cohen reportedly claimed in court that he made a payment of $1,30,000 as hush money just before 2016 elections and the same was reimbursed by the Trump Organization as legal expense.
Trump, with his right-centric ideology, has thrown his hat in the 2024 US Prez race and hopes to return as Republican nominee for the top post.
In 2020 also, the 76-year-old leader sought re-election but was closely defeated by Democrat Joe Biden.
Whether the criminal charges affect his Presidential candidacy or not, it will certainly impact his ability to garner support from voters & also GOP leaders. Though, at an earlier instance, Trump had said that he will continue to canvass support for Republic party, even if he is charged with the crime.