Raised over $4mn in 24 hours after indictment, claims Trump 2024 campaign

Washington, Mar 31 (EFE).- Donald Trump’s presidential campaign said Friday that he raised more than $4 million in the 24 hours after a grand jury indicted him on criminal charges as small groups gathered near his Mar-a-Lago residence to express their support for the ex-president.

The campaign claimed it was an “incredible surge of grassroots contributions” as “over 25 percent of donations came from first-time donors.”

It said that the donation “confirms that the American people see the indictment of Trump as a disgraceful weaponization of our justice system by a Soros-funded prosecutor.”

The campaign said the surge in funding indicated “Trump’s status as the clear frontrunner in the Republican primary.”

“With an average contribution of only $34, President Trump’s 2024 campaign is funded by an unmatched coalition of hardworking patriots who are fed up with special interest donors like Soros spending billions of dollars to influence our elections.”

Shortly after the indictment news broke, Trump’s campaign sent out fundraising emails asking for donations to stop the “witch hunt.” and take advantage of the development to generate fundraising momentum.

“I believe this witch hunt will backfire massively on Joe Biden,” Trump said after the indictment.

“The American people realize exactly what the Radical Left Democrats are doing here. Everyone can see it. So our Movement, and our Party – united and strong – will first defeat Alvin Bragg, and then we will defeat Joe Biden, and we are going to throw every last one of these Crooked Democrats out of office so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Trump announced his candidacy in November and remains the top contender for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election.

His two likely biggest challengers, former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have not yet announced if they will run.

But both have suggested they will make a decision soon.

Several Republicans have said the ex-president’s indictment was politically motivated, accusing prosecutor Alvin Bragg of having partisan motivations.

The decision to indict Trump, however, was made by the New York grand jury, not the prosecutor.

Trump is the first former American president charged with criminal offenses.

The grand jury Thursday said he would have to answer questions in the probe of hush money payments during the 2016 presidential campaign,

The indictment, which followed an investigation into alleged payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, will not be unsealed until the arraignment, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday.

Sources told US media houses that it included around 30 counts.

CNN reported that the former president would travel to New York on Monday and appear in court a day later.

Trump allegedly paid Daniels $130,000 in 2016 when he ran for the Republican presidential nomination and finally won it.

Meanwhile, Trump supporters gathered around his Mar-a-Lago throughout the day on Friday, waving American flags and banners carrying the indicted president’s name.