Trump reluctantly accepts his reality and confirms he will return to NYC today

Donald Trump appears to have grudgingly accepted the reality of his charges – confirming he is returning to New York City today ahead of his trial over alleged porn star hush money payments Stormy Daniels.

Barricades and riot control equipment have already been erected across the Big Apple as police brace for the former president’s arrival on Monday afternoon — and the outraged protests have escalated. subpoena procedure can bring.

Trump’s enthusiastic followers held their own demonstrations near his home in Mar-a-Lago on Sunday A heightened law enforcement presence was seen outside Trump Tower and the Manhattan Criminal Court ahead of the historic proceedings on Tuesday.

A wave of irate MAGA fans waved flags and protested inside Florida on weekends – flocking in rage and waving posters that read, “Stop the witch hunt!”

Trump, seemingly still in disbelief at the unfolding events, sarcastically told his followers he would be on his way the courthouse for his arraignment on Tuesday – whether they “believe it or not.”

The former president, 76, confirmed his next moves ahead of his impending legal woes as he lamented, “America shouldn’t have been like this.”

Donald Trump is golfing the weekend prior to his trip to New York City due to his indictment

Donald Trump is golfing the weekend prior to his trip to New York City due to his indictment

Barricades have been erected around Trump Tower on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue in preparation for the former president's arrival

Barricades have been erected around Trump Tower on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue in preparation for the former president’s arrival

Trump supporters demonstrated outside Mar-a-Lago on Sunday after his indictment

Trump supporters demonstrated outside Mar-a-Lago on Sunday after his indictment

Barricades were also erected across Trump Tower in preparation for large crowds that could descend on the building after Trump arrives Monday

Barricades were also erected across Trump Tower in preparation for large crowds that could descend on the building after Trump arrives Monday

A woman waves a Trump flag outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday

A woman waves a Trump flag outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday

On Sunday, gates were placed outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York City

On Sunday, gates were placed outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York City

The specifics of Trump’s indictment remains sealed after it was ruled by a grand jury in Manhattan on Thursday, but reports indicated at least 30 counts could be related to business fraud.

He is the only current or former president in US history to be charged.

Trump posted a defiant message on his social media platform on Sunday evening, writing, “I will be leaving Mar-a-Lago at noon on Monday, bound for Trump Tower in New York.”

“On Tuesday morning, believe it or not, I’m going to court. America shouldn’t have been like that!’

There was speculation until Sunday night as to whether or not Trump would voluntarily return to New York — what a tense situation already exacerbated by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announcing that he would not extradite the ex-president if called upon to do so.

In New York, outside its posh, gold Trump Tower, rows of metal barricades lined the sidewalk and entrance were seen in anticipation of what is shaping up to be a tumultuous week.

NYPD vans also lined Fifth Avenue awaiting the onset of trouble — while a Trump fan placed a blessed palm at the Tower’s entrance on Palm Sunday with the message “God bless President Trump.”

In Florida, loyal Trump supporters lined the side of the road at Trump’s home with signs reading, “I stand with President Donald Trump,” as people in passing cars honked and cheered as they waved flags from their windows.

Another MAGA fan sat with a sign reading, “Incriminate evil traitor Joe and non-American Bragg,” as he waited for vehicles passing near Mar-A-Lago to beep in agreement.

Trump also repeated claims on Sunday that his indictment was an attempt to disrupt his 2024 presidential bid, writing “ELECTION INTERFERENCE!!!” in a separate message.

NYPD barricades were waiting on the sidewalk, ready to be put up before Trump returned to the city

NYPD barricades were waiting on the sidewalk, ready to be put up before Trump returned to the city

An enhanced law enforcement presence was seen outside Trump Tower (pictured) and the Manhattan Criminal Court ahead of historic proceedings on Tuesday.

A man holds a sign calling for the impeachment of President Joe Biden and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg outside Mar-a-Lago on Sunday ahead of Donald Trump's arrest

A man holds a sign calling for the impeachment of President Joe Biden and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg outside Mar-a-Lago on Sunday ahead of Donald Trump’s arrest

A boat carrying pro-Trump flags sails through Palm Beach on Sunday ahead of Trump's arrest

A boat carrying pro-Trump flags sails through Palm Beach on Sunday ahead of Trump’s arrest

He addressed his allegations of election interference earlier in the evening, claiming he was deliberately charged in a city where due process would be “impossible”, along with a laundry list of other grievances.

“The corrupt prosecutor has no case,” he wrote. “What he does have is a venue where it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to get a fair trial (it needs to be changed!), and a Trump Hating Judge, hand-selected by the Soros-backed district attorney ( he must be changed!).

“Also, the DOJ works in the D.A.’s office – Unprecedented!”

On Sunday, Trump also announced his intention to address the nation at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday night from Mar-a-Lago, indicating he believes he will be back home hours after appearing in court in New York City. Florida.

But DailyMail.com revealed that Trump’s lawyers expect a judge to place a gag order on the former president to prevent him from discussing his charges and arrest.

The extraordinary move to potentially silence a presidential candidate is likely to inflame Trump’s supporters as he prepares to fly out of his Florida home.

“Trump’s legal team now believes that tomorrow the Manhattan judge will take the unprecedented step of silencing the presidential frontrunner with an unconstitutional gag order,” a source said.

“Trump’s legal team is considering adding a First Amendment attorney to the effort to fight this and will fight it all along.”

Under New York law, violating the gag order can result in a $1,000 fine and up to 30 days in prison.

A Trump supporter waves a 2024 flag outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida

A Trump supporter waves a 2024 flag outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida

Trump supporters cheer for each other outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach on Sunday

Trump supporters cheer for each other outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach on Sunday

A Trump supporter waved a flag and camped outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach on Sunday

A Trump supporter waved a flag and camped outside Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach on Sunday

Trump supporters outside Trump Tower on Sunday, a day before he arrives

Trump supporters outside Trump Tower on Sunday, a day before he arrives

Gates outside the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump will be arraigned Tuesday

Gates outside the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump will be arraigned Tuesday

Locked press boxes set up outside Trump Tower in preparation for his arrival on Monday

Locked press boxes set up outside Trump Tower in preparation for his arrival on Monday

Press boxes set up for the BBC and CBS outside Trump Tower in NYC on Sunday night

Press boxes set up for the BBC and CBS outside Trump Tower in NYC on Sunday evening

Trump could be seen playing golf in Florida on Sunday prior to his arraignment on Tuesday

Trump could be seen playing golf in Florida on Sunday prior to his arraignment on Tuesday

A Trump supporter wearing a Make America Great Again cap outside Mar-a-Lago on Sunday

A Trump supporter wearing a Make America Great Again cap outside Mar-a-Lago on Sunday

Trump is expected to plead not guilty and plans to return to Florida as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the indictment has bolstered his polls and led to a surge in campaign donations.

A poll conducted by Trump’s campaign team found that 51 percent of Republicans see him as their favorite candidate for 2024, ahead of his biggest threat, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who scored 21 percent.

Trump’s team also announced on Saturday that it had raised more than $4 million — almost entirely in small donations — in the 24 hours since he was indicted.

Trump has repeatedly lashed out at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for pursuing a case that was dropped by federal prosecutors.

And he’s also turned his fire on acting Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who will hear the case and presumably prepare a gag order.

“The campaign is preparing for this scenario,” a Trump campaign source said.