Former U.S. President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges of reporting false business records. The charges came after an investigation into payments to an adult movie performer during his 2016 presidential campaign. The money was aimed at buying the silence of the performer. Trump sat with his hands folded as he entered the plea: Not guilty. Trump is the first U.S. president to face criminal charges either in or out of office. He is also a leading candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential campaign. The indictment accused Trump of “intent to defraud and intent to commit another crime” and then to try to hide it. The indictment listed 34 counts of falsifying business records under New York State law. A count is a separate crime.