welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore. i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines — donald trump becomes the first former us president to face criminal charges. he's indicted after a probe into money paid to an adult entertainer. the former leader will be charged in new york over alleged hush money given to stormy daniels just before the 2016 presidential election. mr trump, who's running to be president again in 2024, has called the charges a "political persecution" and "election interference" at the highest level in history. we'll have the latest on president trump's criminal indictment. also on this edition of newsday — the oscar—winning actress gwyneth paltrow has won a us lawsuit after being sued over a skiing collision in utah seven years ago. voice-over: live from our studio in singapore, - this is bbc news.

it's newsday. hello and welcome to the programme. we begin with breaking news — donald trump has become the first us president in history to be charged with a crime. he'll be charged in new york over alleged hush money given to a porn starjust before the 2016 presidential election. mr trump, who's running again for president, has repeated he's innocent and called the indictment "political persecution" and "election interference". his son eric said it was the opportunistic targeting of a political opponent in a campaign year. the bbc�*s nada tawfik�*s outside the court in new york. we can speak to her now. it is late in the evening there, as i understand it, nada, and the

press have been gathering, as you have pointed out. what has been the reaction of people who have been passing you by, talking to you about this? figs talking to you about this? as ou talking to you about this? sis you said, talking to you about this? is you said, a few moments ago, the district attorney was actually photographed leaving his office which is just around the corner from here, his office which is just around the cornerfrom here, escorted by his security detail, and he got in a car and was led away by a motorcade and all around here, you can probably see behind me metal barricades, increased police presence and, of course, as you mentioned there, the press continuing to flood back into lower manhattan after really having left earlier this week, leaving the grand jury was paused for a bit so we've been having a constant stream of passerby asking us what is happening, reacting in shock and surprise to the news because of course it is a moment, no matter how expected it was or teed up it was, you

could say, by donald trump himself with that post last week, saying that he would be arrested and indicted. but so all around here in new york, there is this real sense of anticipation, of what this means. this certainly launches the united states into uncharted legal and political territory so nobody knows how this will play out on the legal front. the district attorney's office did confirm they have reached out to mr trump's lawyers to arrange for him to turn himself in at the da's office and we believe that will happen early next week. is office and we believe that will happen early next week. as you oint happen early next week. as you point out. _ happen early next week. as you point out. the — happen early next week. as you point out, the confirmation - point out, the confirmation coming in from manhattan district attorney offers alvin bragg, issuing a statement as well and you and i were talking about but 20 minutes ago —— office. i want to read that statement for the benefit of those joining statement for the benefit of thosejoining us statement for the benefit of those joining us because statement for the benefit of thosejoining us because it says this evening we contracted mr trump's attorney to co—ordinate his surrender for

arraignment on a supreme court indictment which remains under seal. guidance will be provided when that arraignment date is selected and i think nada this speaks to the heart of all of this when many of the people that i've been speaking to today who point out that details are still few and far between and that raises questions, doesn't it, about the legality or efficacy of this case so to speak and you were saying earlier on it is a difficult case for alvin bragg himself? —— ethicacy. difficult case for alvin bragg himself? -- ethicacy.- difficult case for alvin bragg himself? -- ethicacy. yes, i think we _ himself? -- ethicacy. yes, i think we are _ himself? -- ethicacy. yes, i think we are in _ himself? -- ethicacy. yes, i think we are in for _ himself? -- ethicacy. yes, i think we are in for quite - himself? -- ethicacy. yes, i think we are in for quite a i himself? -- ethicacy. yes, i. think we are in for quite a few surprises in the coming days and weeks. first, in terms of how this will play out, right? you do have the initial court appearance, what they call and arraignment, the appearance in front of a judge where the former president will have to enter a plea. former president will have to entera plea. now, former president will have to enter a plea. now, that in itself, the whole choreography around it, will be quite intriguing because service will have to come and sweep the area, sure it is secure, it

will be escorting donald trump throughout that process and we do understand that he wants to do understand that he wants to do that in person. there was a debate about whether of that would be done virtually but just like any other defendant, he will have to come, appear in person, he will have to be formally booked, have his mug shot taken, be fingerprinted, have the charges read out, and that's why as well the rest of the world will know exactly what is in the indictment, what exactly he is being charged with. we know more broadly it is in relation to falsifying business records in relation to those hush money payments ahead of the 2016 election but what exactly are the charges? is it a misdemeanour? is it a felony, something far more serious? as you pointed out there, it is something we've been discussing. that would be new legal territory, to say that falsifying business records used to conceal the crime amounts to an election campaign

violation. and we've already been hearing from president trump's lawyers who said this is, there was no crime here, president trump is innocent, they believe this is a political persecution, intended to just hurt his chances of making a comeback for the white house and they have said, look, just like anybody else who is in that sort of situation, he wanted to protect his family and that's why he repaid michael cohen the money. president trump's team says he did not know michael cohen was making the payment. so we're going to see these arguments and we're going to see how this plays out and if in fact this does go to trial or if the charges are dismissed but as we've been saying, again, the district attorney, so many have said he has to be absolutely certain that he has the evidence here, that he is confident in this case because again, it is by far the least

consequential case facing the former president of all his legal troubles and, therefore, sure, there is the principle that everybody is equal under the law and you have michael cohen, his formerfixer, who served time in prison on federal charges related to this case. federal charges related to this case-- and _ federal charges related to this case.- and he _ federal charges related to this case.- and he was - case. right. and he was identified _ case. right. and he was identified as _ case. right. and he was identified as the - case. right. and he was i identified as the individual president trump, illegibly, who directed him to commit that crime is a very certainly that argument but again, all of this will be tested for the first time in court.— will be tested for the first time in court. ., time in court. indeed, over the next coming — time in court. indeed, over the next coming days _ time in court. indeed, over the next coming days i _ time in court. indeed, over the next coming days i imagine - time in court. indeed, over the| next coming days i imagine you will be very busy and we will speak to you lot but for now, thank you for your time on newsday today. i want to show you some pictures coming on miva from the scene at the airport in palm beach. before forthcoming in life. donald trump train in the twilight surrounded by palm trees on this hugely unprecedented moment in american politics —— trump's plane. a pivotal moment

in history and a reminderfor those i'm sure you know president trump currently resides in florida, meaning that he will be need to be brought to new york to face arraignment, as my colleague wasjust talking us arraignment, as my colleague was just talking us through, those legal details. we can talk more about what is expected to happen now. i'm joined now byjohn hansen, a professor of political science at the university of chicago. great to get you on the show, john, and i wonder this evening, so much has been said already but i think we cannot stop emphasising just how unprecedented this is in american political history. your reaction to what has happened today? my your reaction to what has happened today? your reaction to what has ha ened toda ? g ., ., happened today? my reaction to what has happened _ happened today? my reaction to what has happened today - happened today? my reaction to what has happened today is - happened today? my reaction to what has happened today is that there's really not much new here about donald trump. we've already seen the number of cases where he violated, where he did things that were unprecedented in american history and he came through it just fine.

history and he came through it 'ust fine. ,., ., ,, history and he came through it 'ust fine. ,, ., �*, history and he came through it “ustfine. ,, ., �*, ., just fine. goodness, that's a bit of a controversial- just fine. goodness, that's a bit of a controversial view, l just fine. goodness, that's a bit of a controversial view, i | bit of a controversial view, i suppose, given what we've heard tonight! let's take a step back, shall we? it is the first former us president who is to face criminal charges. in your time covering political history in the united states and the kinds of conversations i imagine you have with your students about the future of american politics, what do you think they are going to be asking you or talking to you about when they stream through your classes on friday morning? i think a lot of them are going to be hoping he will be convicted. just giving you a measure of my student body. what i would say is this is a president who — whose voters have made up the minds about him already, those who support him already, those who support him and those who do not have already made up their minds and if we sort of review what has happened, he was the first presidential candidate in american history who was caught on tape boasting about sexual

assault, the third president impeached by the health representatives, the first president to try to disrupt the power of transfer of power to his successor, the first president impeached the second time by the house of representatives, he was the president whose impeachment case receive the most votes to convict from his own party in the senate in us history and he was the first president in 152 years to skip the inauguration of his successor. so, it's hard for me to see that anything is going to change as a result of him simply being indicted in these charges.— these charges. what do you think will — these charges. what do you think will change _ these charges. what do you think will change or - these charges. what do you j think will change or perhaps what the reaction might be amongst the american electorate? you think this moves people away from supporting him? those who are part of the base? 0r supporting him? those who are part of the base? or does it raise questions about credibility and presidential collectability?— credibility and presidential collectability? no, as i say, he has done _ collectability? no, as i say, he has done so _ collectability? no, as i say, he has done so many - collectability? no, as i say, | he has done so many things collectability? no, as i say, - he has done so many things that i think all of us would

probably stay is done far worse than what is being accused of here —— electablity. many have made up their mind but the more consequential question is what we do to fellow republicans? it looks to me like it brings everybody in the party down. they are going to feel compelled to rally around him and as governor ron desantis has already vowed if donald trump decides not voluntarily to report to the da for an arraignment, that he will refuse extradition which is another thing that is very, very uncommon in us history. and they see him as having the support of a large majority of voters who vote republican. right now what they are focused on is inaudible so it kind of paints the republican candidates inaudible republicans into a corner, it seems to me. he has already shown himself to be an electoral liability, at least in the last three elections and maybe even in 2016.—

in the last three elections and maybe even in 2016. when you ut it maybe even in 2016. when you put it that _ maybe even in 2016. when you put it that way. _ maybe even in 2016. when you put it that way, is _ maybe even in 2016. when you put it that way, is your - put it that way, is your expectation that this will galvanise more support, as you point out, notjust from the base but also from you know fellow politicians but potentially opponents as well for the top job? potentially opponents as well for the topjob? and in fact, make it an even easier path to becoming possibly president in 2024? i becoming possibly president in 2024? 4' becoming possibly president in 2024? ~ ., , becoming possibly president in 2024? 4' ., , ., 2024? i think it has that possibility- _ 2024? i think it has that possibility. one - 2024? i think it has that possibility. one i- 2024? i think it has that possibility. one i would| possibility. one i would caution is we are a long way out from 2024. so we are, what, ten months away, nine months away perhaps for the —— from the first primary so a lot can happen between now and then and this case will certainly not come to trial by that time, certainly there won't be a decision from a jury, i would doubt, by that time but there will be a lot of things that will be a lot of things that will happen in between and you know, whatever positive effect we make it from this, i think

will probably fade over time. and whatever negative effect that could handle his candidacy and primary will also fade over time. so i think by the time were actually in the presidential primary season, i wouldn't expect this to have a particularly great effect on him. , ., . , particularly great effect on him. ., , ,., particularly great effect on him. ., , ., him. john hansen, professor of olitical him. john hansen, professor of political science, _ him. john hansen, professor of political science, thank- him. john hansen, professor of political science, thank you - him. john hansen, professor of political science, thank you so l political science, thank you so much forjoining us with your thoughts on the story. thank ou. i just want to break away from this story for a moment to bring you another update we've had in from the us. a jury has found the oscar—winning actor gwyneth paltrow was not responsible for the injuries sustained by a man during a ski slope collision in 2016. the star was being sued over the incident in utah, but the jury ruled that it was, in fact, the claimant — a retired optometrist, terry sanderson — who was at fault. this is the moment the verdict was read out. was gwyneth paltrow at fault? no. was gwyneth paltrow�*s fault

a cause of terri sanderson's harm? r' , , a cause of terri sanderson's harm? w , , ., harm? oh, skip it. there is no resnonse _ harm? oh, skip it. there is no response there. _ harm? oh, skip it. there is no response there. -- _ harm? oh, skip it. there is no response there. -- terry. - harm? oh, skip it. there is noj response there. -- terry. was terry sanderson _ response there. -- terry. was terry sanderson at _ response there. -- terry. was terry sanderson at fault? - response there. -- terry. wasj terry sanderson at fault? yes. was terry sanderson's fault a cause gwyneth paltrow�*s... did terry sanderson's fault because gwyneth paltrow�*s harm? yes. comparative fault. what % of the fault you assigned to terry sanderson? 100%. damages. what amount fairly compensates gwyneth paltrow for economic damages? $1. 0ur correspondent sophie long was at the court for the verdict. earlier high asked her the significance of what has happened. significance of what has happened-— significance of what has happened. significance of what has hauened. ~ �*, , ., happened. well, there's been a hue happened. well, there's been a huge amount — happened. well, there's been a huge amount of— happened. well, there's been a huge amount of interest - happened. well, there's been a huge amount of interest in - happened. well, there's been a huge amount of interest in this| huge amount of interest in this trial, of course, and it lasted

just short of two weeks and it took the juryjust just short of two weeks and it took the jury just two hours to deliberate and come to their verdict and they found that gwyneth paltrow was not responsible for causing the collision with 76—year—old terry sanderson on the ski slopes a few miles from where i am standing now and they found in fact that he was responsible for the collision. this was he said, she said trial. we heard a huge amount of evidence about his state of mind and his physical and mental health before and after that accident but we now know that the jury found that gwyneth paltrow was not responsible. he was suing herfor $300,000. she countersuit for $1. she has now been awarded that $1 in damages and he will also now be liable to pay the legal fees which will likely run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. gwyneth paltrow left court immediately after the verdict. she didn't stop to respect to reporters, she walked past very serenely and calmly as she has throughout the course of this trial and terry sanderson came

out, he stopped to speak to reporters and he said that gwyneth paltrow spoke to him on her way out of court and said, i wish you well and he said, thank you. i spoke to a ski instructor who's been working on the mountain around here for several decades and he pointed out that collisions are not uncommon, skiing is a high—risk sport but it is very rare for a case to come to court. i think what most people here have been thinking about, there has been a huge spectacle. a lot of the evidence has been very dry, it's been very expert witness heavy but winner paltrow�*s evidence was very interesting. she had a very different version of events than that of terry sanderson. both of them claimed that the other one ran into the back of them. this has sparked a huge social media circus, really, a huge amount of activity on tiktok and instagram and even late—night shows in america have turned this case into comedy. people here though in utah, in park city, i've seen this as a

positive thing in some respects and that its raised awareness of safety on the mountains. gwyneth paltrow said in her initial evidence that she hadn't been coolly completely aware and if a collision takes place, you must give your details to the other person, details to the other person, details must be exchanged when you leave the mountain. there is a clear code of conduct and a ski instructor i spoke to today said in a weight will raise awareness that and in any way, the mountains will be a safer place because of his very high—profile trial. —— this. sophie long is speaking to me a little bit earlier on the significance and symbolism of that gwyneth paltrow verdict in the case. let's return to the developing story on the indictment of president trump. these are live pictures from near the former president's mar—a—lago residence, where you can see a small gathering of supporters. he says he is completely innocent and is released this lengthy statement. it begins with this:

for more on this, i'm joined now by geopolitical advisor and former senior capitol hillaide rina shah, who is in cancun, mexico. great to get you on the programme, thank you so much forjoining us. programme, thank you so much forjoining na— for “oining us. your reaction to forjoining us. your reaction to the unprecedented - forjoining us. your reaction | to the unprecedented events that we've seen today? i think what we've heard today from trump world and of course this legal decision reflects how the united states is a nation of laws and i today am notjust celebrated that we have seen

justice come down for someone who is a private citizen but was a former president, but i'm also holding out for hope that justice truly will prevail. when you sayjustice will truly prevail, or do you mean by that? what are you expecting or hoping to see on this?— hoping to see on this? well, 'ustices hoping to see on this? well, justices and _ hoping to see on this? well, justices and just _ hoping to see on this? well, justices and just one - hoping to see on this? well, justices and just one stop i hoping to see on this? well, | justices and just one stop and that's what i think needs to be made clear here. it took a long time for the people who represent the people of new york to do the work that led to this charge for former this charge forformer president trump who is a private citizen. i cannot emphasise that enough. this wasn't just emphasise that enough. this wasn'tjust on quickly, this wasn'tjust on quickly, this was done very methodically, concerted nearby alvin bragg and his colleagues. that is a name you will hear over and as time continues now stop what is going to happen now is several steps that will tell us more. was this about hush payments made to a former pornography

that the president was, his presidency, engaging in an extramarital affair with? what was the wrong doing here? i think as time goes on, we will find out that this was not a political move, this was about breaking laws, this was about criminal acts and nobody is above the law in the united states and that is really what i mean when i sayjustice will prevail. it does hold out hope for every type of american that we are all equal under the rule of law. ., ., , ., ., of law. you have been a former staffer to _ of law. you have been a former staffer to republican _ of law. you have been a former staffer to republican congress | staffer to republican congress members as i it, and given the events today, what do you think this means for the republican party and its legitimacy perhaps, in what american voters will be thinking about that today?— voters will be thinking about that today? well, there is no auestion that today? well, there is no question the _ that today? well, there is no question the republican - that today? well, there is no | question the republican party is still very much a legitimate political party in the united states and i'm still a member of the party. no, i didn't vote for president trump twice and

it's important to note that there are many reckons like me, many americans were done with former president trump and want to take the chance of some new you can come under the republican banner of the 2024 residential run. we've already seen that. the former governor of south carolina is out there, nikki haley, i'm sure that others will try to put their hats into the ring for consideration especially after now is bombastic historical move against former president trump. what we know now is the republican party is very much at a crossroads and that's been said many times over the past almost seven years now. there could be a moment whether republican party says no more or president trump. we have to be careful here to say there is a moment and be careful here to say there is a momentand in be careful here to say there is a moment and in this historic moment, anything can happen, anything is possible. that's why want to be careful and clarify that yes, i'm celebrating today about this news. it's historic and i did

not support president trump but i'm celebrating the fact that we are a nation of laws and thatis we are a nation of laws and that is what this decision says. it says ——is not saying there are democrats have gone up there are democrats have gone up to trump. alvin bragg and people in new york who are tasked with executing justice and bringing for this charge against the former president, and are doing the work of democrats. these people are supposed to be doing what is often said in the united states, justices blind. they are blindlyjust doing their jobs and holding up the letter of the law so republicans will say many things but it's very, very important to concentrate on the facts and there will be many republicans who may not say so publicly but are privately cheering on the fact that this could be the moment whether republican party says no to trump for 2024. but whether republican party says no to trump for 2024.- no to trump for 2024. but i have to _ no to trump for 2024. but i have to say. _ no to trump for 2024. but i have to say, some - no to trump for 2024. but i have to say, some of- no to trump for 2024. but i have to say, some of those| have to say, some of those people are saying those things privately to themselves, we've heard some very public comments from republicans. and ijust want to read to you the

statement coming in from ron desantis who is criticised the indictment, republican florida governor widely expected to be an opponent for dinner —— for president trump in 2024. he slammed the indictment and tweeted that the state will not assist in an extradition request coming in from manhattan district attorney alvin bragg. what this indicates to me at least, rather than sort of getting rid of donald trump from the republican party, it is the party supporting him, rallying around him. and infact building that base. i’m around him. and in fact building that base. i'm not very concerned _ building that base. i'm not very concerned at - building that base. i'm not very concerned at all- building that base. i'm not i very concerned at all because building that base. i'm not - very concerned at all because i see strategy from governor ron desantis. he sees the election for president in 2024 are still a long way away. what he's doing now, he's testing the waters. he really wants the money that belongs to the

movement, the make americo great again movement and they are diehard, they will stay with president trump even though he is no longer in the white house, they stand up limit every term, they refused to leave him, they are registered republicans and they did have a lot of weight but in the november midterms, what that showed us is the republican party doesn't do so well when it puts forward maga candidates so the small donor fundraising you see, a lot of the money that will be raised after this historic decision, will be coming from small donor maga movement types still in the republican party and that is for expect that ron desantis does not want to alienate. if he does run for president in 2024. he is saying one thing today but in a few months, he may be saying some goals. this is a governor who is known to talking out of both sides of his mouth so he is not going to leave trump 's backside just yet and be sure to remember, he

is not officially announced run for president. —— trump 'sjust yet. —— trump's side just yet. as you can see on screen, for the benefit of viewers, outside palm beach area port, not far from donald trump's florida estate at mar—a—lago, pictures of people waving flags in support of donald trump. it's not that massive crowd with scene. certainly more than we saw, about 20 minutes ago and i want to put this to you. we talk about what a difficult point this is for the republican party and what it means for politicians like ron desantis. but they spoke seen on american voters, many who do find solace or comfort in what donald trump is said, the message he has for american people. what are they going to be thinking tonight given the

events that we've seen to mark there is one phrase that rules there is one phrase that rules the day in american politics and its grievance politics, that phrase has come up over and over over the past half decade and if not more actually so what we see on display is just that. so what we see on display is just that-— so what we see on display is 'ust that. ~ ~ , ~ ., just that. the maga movement came out of— just that. the maga movement came out of that, _ just that. the maga movement came out of that, this - came out of that, this frustration with washington, the establishment that the typical politician was not speaking directly to the hearts and minds of the average american voter on the american voter. we've seen a real change in the republican party. it was a party for those who worked hard for their dollar, blue—collar so to speak and then became more of a white—collar party and we saw the shift after trump's election in 2016 and it's very much that blue—collar american worker who feels like their taxpayer dollar is being misused in washington so what trump said is, i am like one of you, even though he really

wasn't. he said he was an outsider and would shake things up. here we sit in 2023 again, a year away from another presidential election and what you hearfrom moderate you hear from moderate republicans you hearfrom moderate republicans even as a lot of grievance with the biden administration. about the economy, about public safety, immigration. i do think there is still an appetite for republicans to come through and really take it from democrats, based on how aggrieved people are with biden.— are with biden. absolutely, i take your — are with biden. absolutely, i take your point _ are with biden. absolutely, i take your point there - are with biden. absolutely, i take your point there but - are with biden. absolutely, i take your point there but i i take your point there but i just want to get your thoughts on this. watching this from outside the united states, people waking up in asia and other parts of the world today and seeing this unprecedented moment in american history, the country that has so many parts of the world has sort of set the standards in the past when it comes to democratic ideals, the notion of liberal democracy. i wonder what you make of the idea that the united states now can't stand

as that role model for democracy when you've got a former us president facing criminal charges, somebody was likely to be contesting in the 2024 election. your thoughts on the state of american democracy today? i the state of american democracy toda ? ~' ~ u, today? i think american democracy _ today? i think american democracy is _ today? i think american democracy is healthier i today? i think american - democracy is healthier than ever. in fact, this tells us that a former president can be held accountable because our constitution puts it this way. a former president becomes a private citizen the moment he leaves the 0val private citizen the moment he leaves the oval office and a new president takes over. this is a situation where many will say to weaponisation of the justice system. some of throughout the phrase banana republic. i would say we are not a nation of laws, but we are, nation that holds all citizens accountable to the letter of the law. there is evidence that shows a former president broke the law, he deserves to be held accountable. we cannot have

justice on this accountability comes first so i want to caution people about looking at this as a political move. we have a system that is independent, thejudiciary, this legal beacon we have at every level, whether it is federal or state. we have people standing up in an independent way, doing the work of the people and i think that's what we saw here so i would again say it's not a moment in which american democracy is unhealthy, we are healthy, we stand forjustice and accountability and i cannot use those two words more because that is exactly how we got to where we are today and so people can still keep looking at america as a healthy country that reflects how the state of democracy can be healthy around the world. i appreciate your optimism and thoughts. thank you forjoining us on the programme. this

unprecedented story. in the last few minutes,