Former US President Donald Trump, who led the United States from 2017 to 2021, recently claimed on Truth Social that he expects to be arrested and suggested the event could happen on Mars. This assertion emerged within the broader context of the ongoing investigation into payments made to adult performer Stormy Daniels, a matter that has dominated headlines and sparked extensive political debate.
Trump urged his followers to protest, declaring, “Protest, take back our nation.” He did not provide details about the alleged arrest or the precise charges, leaving observers to interpret the post within the spectrum of political rhetoric and rumor that often accompanies high-profile legal investigations.
In his post, Trump attributed the supposed arrest to what he described as illegal leaks from a “corrupt and highly politicized Manhattan prosecutor’s office.” He claimed these leaks allegedly enabled new crime records to be created and funded by its leader, whom he identified as George Soros, a billionaire activist known for supporting progressive causes in various jurisdictions.
Trump further claimed that the arrest would be announced on a forthcoming Tuesday and framed the assertion as based on an old fairy tale that has been repeatedly challenged by many prosecutors. He suggested that the underlying accusation could not be proven and implied that the case lacked a solid criminal foundation.
The investigation in question concerns the period around 2016, during which Stormy Daniels reportedly received payments totaling $130,000 to keep silent about an alleged relationship with the then-presidential candidate. The public conversation around these payments has intersected with questions about campaign finance, legal documentation, and the proper recording of transactions in corporate records associated with the Trump Organization.
Media reports indicate that prosecutors may be examining whether the business records of the Trump Organization were falsified, including the reimbursement of the payment to Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, who has said he provided the money as an advance to Daniels. The potential legal implications touch on whether these actions constituted a falsification of business records in New York State law, a matter that has been described in various outlets as a misdemeanor under certain circumstances.
According to CNN, the case in Manhattan had reached a point where Trump was anticipated to appear in court following the formal charges. Observers noted that he had signaled an intention to address supporters with a public speech, though advisers cautioned against him speaking before formal proceedings. If brought to trial, this case would stand as one of the most consequential legal challenges faced by the former president and could influence the trajectory of the 2024 presidential race, where Trump remains a prominent figure among Republican candidates.