Trump on criminal charges: I never thought this could happen in America

Former US president Donald Trump expressed incredulity Tuesday over his indictment, rallying supporters at his Florida estate for his first public remarks since being charged over hush money payments to a porn star.

“I never thought anything like this could happen in America — never thought it could happen,” he said, adding “the only crime that I’ve committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it.”

He added: “It’s an insult to our country.”