Trump indictment: US going to hell, says ex-president

The US is "going to hell", Donald Trump has said in a defiant address after pleading not guilty to falsifying business records to hide damaging information ahead of the 2016 election.

The former president was charged with 34 counts in a Manhattan court in New York on Tuesday.

These relate to a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, who says they had an affair.

Mr Trump is the first US president in history to face a criminal trial.

"The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it," the 76-year-old told supporters gathered at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida after he appeared in court. read more