Donald Trump appears to have reluctantly accepted the truth of his indictment — and confirmed that he’s back in New York City today ahead of his court appearance for allegedly making hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Barricades and riot gear have already been set up in the Big Apple as cops prepare for the former president’s arrival on Monday afternoon – and the angry protests his impeachment proceedings could bring.
Trump’s ardent followers held their own demonstrations near his home in Mar-a-Lago on Sunday while A.J A heavy law enforcement presence was seen outside Trump Tower and the Manhattan Criminal Court ahead of the historic proceedings on Tuesday.
Pandemoniums of angry MAGA fans waved flags and protested in Florida over the weekend — huddled together in rages with posters that read: “Stop the witch hunt!”
Trump, apparently still in disbelief of the current events, wryly told his followers that he would be heading to the courtroom to indict him on Tuesday — whether they believed it or not.
The former president, 76, confirmed his next moves ahead of his pending legal troubles, saying, “America was never meant to be like this.”
Donald Trump plays golf the weekend before his trip to New York City due to his indictment
Barricades have been erected around Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan in preparation for the former president’s arrival
Trump supporters demonstrated outside Mar-a-Lago on Sunday after his conviction
Barricades have also been erected across the road from Trump Tower in preparation for the large crowds that could descend on the building after Trump’s arrival on Monday.
A woman waves a Trump flag outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday
The gates were erected outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York City on Sunday
Details of Trump’s indictment remain sealed after a grand jury handed it down in Manhattan on Thursday, but reports indicated there could be at least 30 counts of commercial fraud.
He is the only current or former president to be indicted in US history.
Trump Sunday night issued a defiant post on his social media platform, writing, “I will be leaving Mar-a-Lago Monday at 12 noon heading to Trump Tower in New York.”
Tuesday morning, believe it or not, I’m going to the courtroom. America wasn’t meant to be like this! “
There was some speculation as of Sunday night about whether or not Trump would voluntarily return to New York — a tense situation already exacerbated by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ announcement that he would not turn the former president in if asked.
In New York outside Trump’s luxurious gold tower, rows of metal barriers are seen lining the sidewalk and entrance ahead of a turbulent week ahead.
NYPD trucks also lined Fifth Avenue in anticipation of trouble starting — while a Trump fan rested a blessed rest at the tower’s entrance 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 house holding signs that read, “I stand with President Donald Trump,” as people in passing cars yelled and cheered as they waved flags from their windows.
Another MAGA fan sat with a sign: “Fix Traitor Evil Joe and Un-American Bragg,” while he waited for passing cars near Mar-A-Lago to beep in agreement.
Trump also doubled down on Sunday on allegations that his indictment was an attempt to interfere with his 2024 presidential bid, writing “Election interference!!!” in a separate post.
NYPD bollards were waiting on the sidewalk, ready to be installed before Trump returned to town
A heavy law enforcement presence was seen outside Trump Tower (pictured) and Manhattan Criminal Court ahead of the historic proceedings on Tuesday.
A man holds a sign calling for the impeachment of President Joe Biden and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg outside Mar-a-Lago on Sunday prior to the arrest of Donald Trump
A boat waving pro-Trump flags drives through Palm Beach Sunday before Trump’s arrest
He detailed his allegations of election interference earlier in the night, claiming the accusation was deliberately brought in a city where a fair trial would be “impossible,” along with a host of other grievances.
“The corrupt DA has no case,” he wrote. “What he has is a place where it would be impossible for me to get a fair trial (it should be changed!), and a Trump-hating judge, hand-picked by a Soros-backed DA (it should be changed!).
“Also, the Department of Justice is working on the DA’s office—unprecedented!”
On Sunday, Trump also announced his intention to address the nation at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday from Mar-a-Lago, indicating that he believed he would be returning home to Florida hours after his court appearance in New York City.
But DailyMail.com revealed that Trump’s lawyers expect a judge to issue a gag order on the former president to prevent him from discussing his charges and arrest.
The unusual move to silence a likely presidential candidate is likely to inflame Trump supporters as he prepares to fly from his home in Florida.
“Trump’s legal team now believes a Manhattan judge will take the unprecedented step of gag a presidential frontrunner with an unconstitutional gag order tomorrow,” a source said.
Trump’s legal team is considering adding First Amendment attorneys to efforts to combat this and will fight that along the way.
Violation of the gag order could result in a $1,000 fine and up to 30 days in jail, under New York law.
A Trump supporter waves the 2024 flag outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida
Trump supporters cheer for each other outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach on Sunday
A Trump supporter waves a flag and camps outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach on Sunday
Trump supporters outside Trump Tower on Sunday, the day before his scheduled arrival
Gates outside the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump will be arraigned on Tuesday
Locked press boxes set up outside Trump Tower in preparation for his arrival Monday
Press boxes set up for the BBC and CBS outside Trump Tower in New York City on Sunday night
Trump was seen golfing in Florida on Sunday before being charged on Tuesday
A Trump supporter wears a Make America Great Again hat outside Mar-a-Lago on Sunday
Trump is expected to plead not guilty and plans to return to Florida as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the indictment boosted poll numbers and sent campaign donations soaring.
A poll by Trump’s campaign team shows that 51 percent of Republicans see him as their favorite candidate for 2024 — putting him ahead of his biggest threat to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has 21 percent.
Trump’s team also announced Saturday that it had raised more than $4 million — almost entirely in small donations — within the 24 hours after being indicted.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Manhattan Attorney General Alvin Bragg for pursuing a case that federal prosecutors dropped.
He has also directed his fire at Manhattan acting Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchant, who will hear the case and is believed to be preparing for a gag order.
A Trump campaign source said the campaign is preparing for that scenario.
