When news broke that a Manhattan grand jury had voted to indict former President Donald Trump, his team was ready with a massive news campaign.
Within minutes, a fundraising committee sent out the first sentencing statement.
And sons Don Jr. and Eric were broadcasting, tweeting and calling friendly media sources.
A fundraiser soon followed, as his campaign wanted to capitalize on anger at the prospect of arresting and indicting a former president for the first time in history.
“We had a plan and the plan was executed,” said a source familiar with the plan. “Putting out surrogates, putting out content.
“If you check out our War Room and Team Trump Twitter accounts, they post all relevant content.”
On Saturday night, former President Donald Trump told reporters on his plane that he thought the case against him would be dropped by the Manhattan Attorney’s Office
When news of the indictment broke, Trump’s team had a messaging plan in place
However, not everything was as expected. Insiders admitted they were surprised.
Trump’s lawyer told Fox News they learned about the charges from the New York Times.
“We’re always the last to know…always,” Joseph Tacopina said. “The New York Times told us today that he has been charged and we have received confirmation from prosecutors.”
Last week, the grand jury investigating alleged business fraud related to a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels appeared to falter.
This week, it emerged that it would be less than a month, prompting Trump allies to say the Manhattan District Attorney was preparing to quietly shelve the case.
Trump himself claimed this on Saturday night.
“I think they’ve already closed the case. As far as I know… I think it’s been dropped,” he told a small group of reporters aboard his private jet, including , as he flew back from a rally in Waco, Texas.
“But I believe if anything ever happened to the case, it’s a fake case.”
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg leaves his office in Manhattan, New York, after a grand jury voted to indict former President Donald Trump. March 30, 2023
A grand jury has heard evidence supporting claims that Donald Trump paid adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to buy her to remain silent about their affair
He cut a relaxed figure, scoffing at any notion that he was frustrated or distracted by legal issues.
And he continued his normal routine in Mar-a-Lago, playing golf at his club about a 15-minute drive away on Wednesday.
He returned on Thursday despite only completing nine holes. The 76-year-old didn’t stay for lunch, although his regular table was reserved.
Instead, he returned to Mar-a-Lago, where he spent the afternoon taking in the bombshell news that he would have to travel to New York to face arrest.
He has told aides he wants to be treated like any other defendant and has dismissed suggestions that he might be given special treatment, saying he was innocent and had nothing to fear from the justice system.
As details of the charges emerged, his response came into effect.
Alongside his emailed statement, Trump used Truth Social to condemn the charges
Trump’s social media accounts amplified messages from key boosters
His allied Political Action Committee acted quickly.
“This is not an indictment of a felony — there was no felony — instead, this news is the indictment of a failed nation,” Taylor Budowich, executive director of Make America Great Again Inc, said in an emailed statement.
He said Trump will be punished for putting America first.
“For this, the political elites and those in power have armed the government to try to stop him. You will fail. He will be re-elected in the biggest landslide in American history, and together we will all make America great again.’
The idea of an impending landslide was repeated in a statement by Trump soon after.
Meanwhile, Don Jr. has dropped his recorded podcast to go live with his outrage on the Rumble platform.
“Let’s be clear folks. It’s like communist s***,” he said. This is stuff Mao Stalin Pol Pot would do. It would make her blush.
“It’s so blatant. It’s so insane when even like the radical leftists out there in the Washington Post say it’s not really fact based.
Don Jr slammed the federal government on Rumble’s “Triggered with Donald Trump Jr,” and Thursday afternoon called his father’s charges “Communist-level.”
Trump played nine holes of golf Thursday at his West Palm Beach club. He’s pictured here a day earlier with Natalie Harp, who helps run his social media account, Truth
Proxies, public supporters of Trump, also began appearing on television and broadcasting their own statements.
Kari Lake, who emerged last year as one of the loudest voices alleging voter fraud while running for Arizona governor, said, “This is a dark moment in our nation’s history.
“As the radical left and its armed criminal justice system have transcended all legal and ethical boundaries to destroy the 45th and likely 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.”
In the three days after Trump announced he would be indicted two weeks ago, his campaign raised more than $1.5 million. And on Thursday, more donation emails were sent out.
“The Deep State will use everything at its disposal to suppress the one political movement that puts YOU first,” one said.
“But I promise you this: This witch hunt will backfire massively on Joe Biden.
“With your support, we will write the next great chapter in American history – and 2024 will forever be remembered as the year we saved our republic.”