Trump indictment sparks political turmoil and controversy.
Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records to hide damaging information ahead of the 2016 election. He is the first US president in history to face a criminal trial. Trump claims that the "fake case" is simply part of a Democratic conspiracy to interfere with next year's presidential election, in which he is running. The case against the former president hinges on a hush-money payment of $130,000 made before the 2016 presidential election. While a criminal conviction would not prevent Mr Trump from either running for president or from reclaiming the Oval Office, the prolonged legal fight could prove a major distraction for the Republican front-runner and may add a new layer of turmoil to his party's primary.