Former US President Donald Trump claims US is 'going to hell' under Joe Biden

Summary:

• Donald Trump criticizes Joe Biden's administration, stating that the US is "going to hell."
• Trump accuses the FBI and DOJ of colluding with social media platforms to suppress the Hunter Biden laptop scandal.
• Trump faces criminal charges related to hush money payments made during his 2016 campaign to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

Former President Donald Trump addressed a gathering of supporters from his Mar-a-Lago property on Tuesday night and criticized President Joe Biden's administration, saying that the United States is "going to hell."

Trump also mentioned the Hunter Biden laptop scandal, which he claimed exposed the Biden family as criminals, and alleged that the FBI and Department of Justice colluded with Twitter and Facebook to suppress the story. He added that the Democrats spied on his campaign, citing various investigations he called "hoaxes."

Trump pleads not guilty to felony charges in New York court

Trump has pleaded 'not guilty' to 34 felony counts in a New York court, including charges related to a pre-election hush-money scheme involving adult film star Stormy Daniels. The former president faces criminal charges for his alleged role in 36 felony criminal charges, including the hush money payment made to Daniels during his 2016 campaign to conceal an alleged affair that he has constantly denied.

'Catch and kill' scheme allegedly used during election

The indictment against Trump also alleges that during the 2016 election, he and others employed a "catch and kill" scheme to identify, purchase, and bury negative information about him and boost his electoral prospects. The scheme allegedly involved paying off individuals who had damaging information about Trump and then burying that information.

American Media Inc. admits unlawful conduct

American Media Inc. (AMI), a media company owned by Trump ally David Pecker, admitted to making false entries in its business records and engaging in unlawful conduct as part of its involvement in the pre-election hush-money scheme.

The company paid $150,000 to former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who claimed to have had an affair with Trump, and $30,000 to a former Trump Tower doorman who claimed to have a story about a child Trump had out of wedlock. The company also made an agreement with federal prosecutors in which it admitted its conduct was unlawful.

Trump's lawyer reimbursed AMI in cash

According to a statement from New York Attorney General Joon Kim and Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr., Trump asked his lawyer to reimburse AMI in cash for the $150,000 payment to McDougal. The statement also alleges that Trump was involved in the scheme to buy and bury negative information about him during the 2016 election. The investigation into Trump's alleged involvement in the scheme is ongoing.