US going to hell, defiant Trump releases statement after being charged

Donald Trump has given a defiant address to his supporters after becoming the first former US president to face a criminal trial.

Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 criminal charges during a historic court hearing in New York on Tuesday.

He returned to Florida immediately after where he told an audience that the case was “an insult to our country”.

“Our country is going to hell,” he said, listing all the ways that he claims to have been persecuted.

Trump also lashed out at the judge and prosecutors and claimed – without evidence – the case against him was politically-motivated.