With hopes pinned on the 2024 presidential elections, former US president Donald Trump in an interview to a media outlet said that he would not drop out of the race regardless of any legal reason.&nbsp;Trump is facing a possible conviction in a case involving hush-money payments made to adult star Stormy Daniels. &nbsp;

When asked if there was anything, including a potential conviction, that could make him drop out, Trump said, “No, I’d never drop — it’s not my thing. I wouldn’t do it."&nbsp;

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Trump was charged with 34 counts of&nbsp;felony&nbsp;and was arraigned for concealing an alleged affair with Stormy. However, Trump has categorically denied having an affair. He also&nbsp;blasted at&nbsp;Manhattan District Attorney&nbsp;Alvin Bragg's probe into the matter&nbsp;and termed it politically motivated.

Trump was also questioned on Thursday in a civil fraud case filed by New York's Attorney General Letitia James last year which claims that Trump, along with his family misled banks and business partners by providing them misleading information.&nbsp;

During the deposition, which was held privately, reports quoting sources familiar with the proceedings said Trump answered all questions for about seven hours. He also did not invoke Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination.&nbsp;

In the past, Trump invoked the Fifth for over 400 times and refused to answer questions before lawyers from James' office in its probe into the Trump's business practices.&nbsp;The Fifth Amendment in US Constitution includes legal proceedings, including one that says no one “shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself”.

The case is said to go to trial later this year.&nbsp;

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After the deposition concluded, a lawyer for Trump’s businesses, Christopher Kise reportedly said Trump during his deposition explained in detail his "extraordinary business success.”

“The transactions at the center of this case were wildly profitable for the banks and for the Trump entities,” Kise said. “When the facts of this success, and not politically engineered soundbites, are out in the open, everyone will scoff at the notion any fraud took place.”

Watch |&nbsp;Joe Biden addresses Irish parliament, says he 'feels at home'

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The case is different&nbsp;from&nbsp;the felony charges that the Manhattan district attorney brought against Trump which resulted in his arraignment, a&nbsp;first against&nbsp;a former/serving president. 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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With hopes pinned on the 2024 presidential elections, former US president Donald Trump in an interview to a media outlet said that he would not drop out of the race regardless of any legal reason.

With hopes pinned on the 2024 presidential elections, former US president Donald Trump in an interview to a media outlet said that he would not drop out of the race regardless of any legal reason. Trump is facing a possible conviction in a case involving hush-money payments made to adult star Stormy Daniels. When asked if there was anything, including a potential conviction, that could make him drop out, Trump said, “No, I’d never drop — it’s not my thing. I wouldn’t do it." Also Read | One of Pablo Escobar's ‘cocaine hippo’ gets struck by car, dies Trump was charged with 34 counts of felony and was arraigned for concealing an alleged affair with Stormy. However, Trump has categorically denied having an affair. He also blasted at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's probe into the matter and termed it politically motivated. Trump was also questioned on Thursday in a civil fraud case filed by New York's Attorney General Letitia James last year which claims that Trump, along with his family misled banks and business partners by providing them misleading information. During the deposition, which was held privately, reports quoting sources familiar with the proceedings said Trump answered all questions for about seven hours. He also did not invoke Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination. In the past, Trump invoked the Fifth for over 400 times and refused to answer questions before lawyers from James' office in its probe into the Trump's business practices. The Fifth Amendment in US Constitution includes legal proceedings, including one that says no one “shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself”. The case is said to go to trial later this year. Also Read | Thailand celebrates Songkran Water Festival After the deposition concluded, a lawyer for Trump’s businesses, Christopher Kise reportedly said Trump during his deposition explained in detail his "extraordinary business success.” “The transactions at the center of this case were wildly profitable for the banks and for the Trump entities,” Kise said. “When the facts of this success, and not politically engineered soundbites, are out in the open, everyone will scoff at the notion any fraud took place.” Watch | Joe Biden addresses Irish parliament, says he 'feels at home' × The case is different from the felony charges that the Manhattan district attorney brought against Trump which resulted in his arraignment, a first against a former/serving president. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'It’s not my thing': Trump on dropping out of 2024 US presidential elections, if convicted

Former US president Donald Trump kickstarted his 2024 presidential bid with stops at early voting states New Hampshire and South Carolina, which launched his winning 2016 presidential campaign.&nbsp;At an evening event in South Carolina, Trump reiterated his early political campaign of “making America great again”.&nbsp;“Together we will complete the unfinished business of making America great again.”

In New Hampshire, the 76-year-old Republican asserted, “We need a leader who is prepared to take on the forces laying waste to our country.”

"We need a president who's ready to hit the ground running on Day One," he told a crowd of several hundred in the commercial hub of Salem.

His events are being seen as a way to rebuild his lacklustre campaign amidst criticism that he failed to make any public appearances since he announced his latest run in November.

Trump once again denied his 2020 defeat and told supporters that he would be the most effective nominee in 2024, unlike the other Republican picks.

"To change the whole system, you need a president who can take on the whole system and a president who can win," he said.

<h2>US: Donald Trump kicks off 2024 Presidential campaign, first candidate to do so</h2>

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In both states, Trump sought to assert his record of success during his presidency and slammed his successor Joe Biden over issues like the economy, immigration and rising crime.

He vowed to “rebuild” the US military saying that he wants to save the country from "being destroyed by a selfish, radical, corrupt political establishment."

"I'm more angry now and more committed now than I ever was," Trump said.

Apart from Trump, Republicans have a long list of presidential nominees, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis,&nbsp;former vice president&nbsp;Mike Pence and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who was Trump’s ambassador to the UN. All of them are expected to get their campaigns underway in the coming months.

Speaking to AP news agency after his South Carolina speech, Trump said that it would be “a great act of disloyalty” if DeSantis opposed him in the primary and took credit for the governor’s initial election.

“If he runs, that’s fine. I’m way up in the polls. He’s going to have to do what he wants to do, but he may run. I do think it would be a great act of disloyalty because, you know, I got him in. He had no chance. His political life was over.”

Trump also said that he hasn’t spoken to DeSantis in a long time.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Former US president Donald Trump kickstarted his 2024 presidential bid with stops at early voting states New Hampshire and South Carolina, which launched his winning 2016 presidential campaign.

Former US president Donald Trump kickstarted his 2024 presidential bid with stops at early voting states New Hampshire and South Carolina, which launched his winning 2016 presidential campaign. At an evening event in South Carolina, Trump reiterated his early political campaign of “making America great again”. “Together we will complete the unfinished business of making America great again.” In New Hampshire, the 76-year-old Republican asserted, “We need a leader who is prepared to take on the forces laying waste to our country.” "We need a president who's ready to hit the ground running on Day One," he told a crowd of several hundred in the commercial hub of Salem. His events are being seen as a way to rebuild his lacklustre campaign amidst criticism that he failed to make any public appearances since he announced his latest run in November. Trump once again denied his 2020 defeat and told supporters that he would be the most effective nominee in 2024, unlike the other Republican picks. "To change the whole system, you need a president who can take on the whole system and a president who can win," he said. US: Donald Trump kicks off 2024 Presidential campaign, first candidate to do so In both states, Trump sought to assert his record of success during his presidency and slammed his successor Joe Biden over issues like the economy, immigration and rising crime. He vowed to “rebuild” the US military saying that he wants to save the country from "being destroyed by a selfish, radical, corrupt political establishment." "I'm more angry now and more committed now than I ever was," Trump said. Apart from Trump, Republicans have a long list of presidential nominees, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former vice president Mike Pence and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who was Trump’s ambassador to the UN. All of them are expected to get their campaigns underway in the coming months. Speaking to AP news agency after his South Carolina speech, Trump said that it would be “a great act of disloyalty” if DeSantis opposed him in the primary and took credit for the governor’s initial election. “If he runs, that’s fine. I’m way up in the polls. He’s going to have to do what he wants to do, but he may run. I do think it would be a great act of disloyalty because, you know, I got him in. He had no chance. His political life was over.” Trump also said that he hasn’t spoken to DeSantis in a long time. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Trump kickstarts 2024 presidential bid, says ‘more angry, committed than ever’

After eight years as unchallenged leader of the Republican Party, former president Donald Trump is running into opposition from prominent fellow Republicans and former allies who think a third Trump run at the presidency would damage the party.

Trump announced his candidature on November 15, a full 724 days before the 2024 elections. The weekend after, a bevy of high-profile Republicans took the opportunity of an annual meeting of Jewish Republicans to blame Trump, directly or implicitly, for the party’s poor showing in November’s mid-term elections.

The Republican establishment’s discontent with Trump, who had backed a slew of losing candidates, was put in sharp focus even before all the results were in. “Trump is the Republican Party’s Biggest Loser,” said a headline in the Wall Street Journal, part of a media empire which had played a leading role in helping Trump win the presidency.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-you-need-to-know-about-trump-his-political-career-his-presidency-and-the-controversies-534707">Trump waited a long time to become president. Here's all you need to know</a>

Despite predictions of a sweeping victory in the race for 435 seats in the House of Representatives, the party eked out a wafer-thin majority in the House and failed to dislodge the Democrats from their narrow control of the Senate.

As analysts on both sides of America’s deep political divide saw it, conditions for a “red tide” (red is the Republican colour) were ripe: the Democrats’ leader, Joe Biden, is not popular and Americans are angry over high prices for food and petrol spurred by the steepest inflation in decades.

Therefore, Republican candidates campaigned on kitchen-table issues. The Democrats’ main topics: threats to democracy as highlighted by the January 6, 2021, assault on the US Capitol in Washington, a Supreme Court decision to overrule a constitutional right for women to have an abortion, and the insistence by Trump and his followers that the 2020 elections were stolen from him.

Almost without exception, Trump-backed candidates who campaigned on his stolen election theme lost across the country in contests for House seats, the Senate, and governorships.

Dismay with that outcome was obvious by the reaction of prominent figures including those attending the Jewish Republican meeting. There were several who are considering their presidential odds for 2024 and their chances of beating Trump for the nomination.

High on the list of almost a dozen of possible contenders: Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who scored an impressive 19-per cent win even in a part of his state, Miami-Dade, that has been a Democratic stronghold for decades. Also on hand were former members of his administration – former secretary of state Mike Pompeo, former vice president Mike Pence and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-declares-his-2024-presidential-run-to-make-america-great-again-534559">'America's comeback starts right now': Donald Trump declares his 2024 presidential bid</a>

Pompeo succinctly summarised the sentiment of much of the Republican establishment: “Personality, celebrity just aren’t going to get it done.” Maryland governor Larry Hogan was just as scathing: “Excuses, lies and toxic politics will not win elections.” Pence remarked he thought the party would have “better choices in the future.”

But being discontented and critical of Trump is one thing; beating him for the party’s nomination is another. The way the Republican nomination process works gives Trump an inherent advantage. He has a solid bloc of followers who revere him with a cult-like devotion no other contender could match.

Many of the primaries and caucuses in the country’s states operate on a winner-takes-all system under which the contestant with the most votes wins even if that is less than a majority. That means if Trump retained the support of what he calls his base – estimated at between 30 and 40 percent – and there are several opponents, he would almost certainly win.

So what about Trump’s chances of winning the general elections if he emerged as the Republican candidate? Or the chances of a Trump-Biden rematch? Trump would be 78 in the 2024 campaign season, Biden 82. Polls indicate there is an appetite for younger leaders at the top.

While the Republican nomination procedures give Trump an edge, his legal problems do not. Political analysts speculate that a key reason for Trump’s candidature announcement – unusually early even in the country with the world’s longest election campaigns – was aimed at shielding him from an array of lawsuits and investigations.

Watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump's white house bid sparking divisions among Republicans

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&nbsp;

There are cases pending in Florida, Georgia, Washington DC and New York related to the assault on the Capitol, his handling of top-secret documents taken from the White House, interference in the 2020 elections, and financial wrongdoing including tax dodging by his New York-based company.

But the legal clouds hanging over candidate Trump are unlikely to impress his base. Trump has been accused of lying and hyperbole through much of his adult life and according to the Washington Post, he made 30,537 false or misleading claims over his four years in office.

But there is one statement that those arguing over the possibility of a Trump nomination and possible return to the Oval Office should take seriously. On January 24, 2016, he told a campaign rally: “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.”

He is as confident of his base now as he was then. In other words: Trump may be down but he is not out.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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After eight years as unchallenged leader of the Republican Party, former president Donald Trump is running into opposition from prominent fellow Republicans and former allies who think a third Trump run at the presidency would damage the party.

After eight years as unchallenged leader of the Republican Party, former president Donald Trump is running into opposition from prominent fellow Republicans and former allies who think a third Trump run at the presidency would damage the party. Trump announced his candidature on November 15, a full 724 days before the 2024 elections. The weekend after, a bevy of high-profile Republicans took the opportunity of an annual meeting of Jewish Republicans to blame Trump, directly or implicitly, for the party’s poor showing in November’s mid-term elections. The Republican establishment’s discontent with Trump, who had backed a slew of losing candidates, was put in sharp focus even before all the results were in. “Trump is the Republican Party’s Biggest Loser,” said a headline in the Wall Street Journal, part of a media empire which had played a leading role in helping Trump win the presidency. Also Read | Trump waited a long time to become president. Here's all you need to know Despite predictions of a sweeping victory in the race for 435 seats in the House of Representatives, the party eked out a wafer-thin majority in the House and failed to dislodge the Democrats from their narrow control of the Senate. As analysts on both sides of America’s deep political divide saw it, conditions for a “red tide” (red is the Republican colour) were ripe: the Democrats’ leader, Joe Biden, is not popular and Americans are angry over high prices for food and petrol spurred by the steepest inflation in decades. Therefore, Republican candidates campaigned on kitchen-table issues. The Democrats’ main topics: threats to democracy as highlighted by the January 6, 2021, assault on the US Capitol in Washington, a Supreme Court decision to overrule a constitutional right for women to have an abortion, and the insistence by Trump and his followers that the 2020 elections were stolen from him. Almost without exception, Trump-backed candidates who campaigned on his stolen election theme lost across the country in contests for House seats, the Senate, and governorships. Dismay with that outcome was obvious by the reaction of prominent figures including those attending the Jewish Republican meeting. There were several who are considering their presidential odds for 2024 and their chances of beating Trump for the nomination. High on the list of almost a dozen of possible contenders: Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who scored an impressive 19-per cent win even in a part of his state, Miami-Dade, that has been a Democratic stronghold for decades. Also on hand were former members of his administration – former secretary of state Mike Pompeo, former vice president Mike Pence and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley. Also Read | 'America's comeback starts right now': Donald Trump declares his 2024 presidential bid Pompeo succinctly summarised the sentiment of much of the Republican establishment: “Personality, celebrity just aren’t going to get it done.” Maryland governor Larry Hogan was just as scathing: “Excuses, lies and toxic politics will not win elections.” Pence remarked he thought the party would have “better choices in the future.” But being discontented and critical of Trump is one thing; beating him for the party’s nomination is another. The way the Republican nomination process works gives Trump an inherent advantage. He has a solid bloc of followers who revere him with a cult-like devotion no other contender could match. Many of the primaries and caucuses in the country’s states operate on a winner-takes-all system under which the contestant with the most votes wins even if that is less than a majority. That means if Trump retained the support of what he calls his base – estimated at between 30 and 40 percent – and there are several opponents, he would almost certainly win. So what about Trump’s chances of winning the general elections if he emerged as the Republican candidate? Or the chances of a Trump-Biden rematch? Trump would be 78 in the 2024 campaign season, Biden 82. Polls indicate there is an appetite for younger leaders at the top. While the Republican nomination procedures give Trump an edge, his legal problems do not. Political analysts speculate that a key reason for Trump’s candidature announcement – unusually early even in the country with the world’s longest election campaigns – was aimed at shielding him from an array of lawsuits and investigations. Watch: Donald Trump's white house bid sparking divisions among Republicans × There are cases pending in Florida, Georgia, Washington DC and New York related to the assault on the Capitol, his handling of top-secret documents taken from the White House, interference in the 2020 elections, and financial wrongdoing including tax dodging by his New York-based company. But the legal clouds hanging over candidate Trump are unlikely to impress his base. Trump has been accused of lying and hyperbole through much of his adult life and according to the Washington Post, he made 30,537 false or misleading claims over his four years in office. But there is one statement that those arguing over the possibility of a Trump nomination and possible return to the Oval Office should take seriously. On January 24, 2016, he told a campaign rally: “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.” He is as confident of his base now as he was then. In other words: Trump may be down but he is not out. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Trump and the Republican Party – a relationship under stress