A prankster dressed as Donald Trump driving in a limo past Trump Tower fooled bystanders into believing the former president was heading to his arrest early.
Trump landed in New York City on Monday afternoon ahead of his historic arraignment in the Stormy Daniels hush money case.
The indictment made Trump the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges when he was arraigned and fingerprinted at the downtown Manhattan courthouse.
Outside Trump Tower, where the former president had been staying, supporters and critics gathered in anticipation of the 2.15pm arraignment on Tuesday.
Trump impersonator riding in a limo causes chaos outside Trump TowerLoaded
Pictures from outside the building of the imposter showed a red-faced man pouting and waving at the crowd as he drove by with a fake security detail.
The man was seen wearing a red cap with USA emblazoned on the front and pointing to the crowd as he made his way through.
The real Trump was seen departing Trump Tower just after 1pm Tuesday holding up a defiant fist as he made his way to the Manhattan court house where he was later arrested.
The indictment - the first against any former US president - has been met with glee among Trump's political enemies and disgust among many Republicans, who see it as nothing more than a biased attempt by left-wing prosecutors to stop him from returning to office.
The case has bolstered support among his die-hard donors and fans; in Massachusetts and New Hampshire Trump now leads main rival Ron DeSantis.
In Massachusetts, he has a 24 point lead on DeSantis, according to new Boston Herald/Opinion Diagnostics poll. In New Hampshire, his lead is narrower at 13 percent.
Since the indictment was handed down last Thursday, Trump's team said he has raised a record $8million in donations.
Trump last night demanded that Alvin Bragg hand himself in for 'illegally leaking' details of indictment that includes 34 felony counts.
Trump did not pose for a mugshot, nor was he led into court in handcuffs. His fingerprints were, however, taken.
He pleaded not guilty to 34 felony charges for a 'catch and kill scheme' that included '$30,000 hush money to Trump Tower doorman who claimed Donald had a child out of wedlock'.
In a Truth Social post last night, Trump fumed: 'D.A. BRAGG JUST ILLEGALLY LEAKED THE 33 points of Indictment.
'There are no changes or surprises from those he leaked days ago directly out of the Grand Jury.
'No Crime by Trump. What a MESS. Bragg should resign. NOW!'
Reporters began lining up outside the court at 2pm on Monday - 21 hours ahead of the hearing.
By 6am there were more than 120 in line with dozens of TV cameras pointing at the courthouse and 20 satellite trucks parked on the streets.
Judge Merchan banned TV cameras from the courtroom after Trump's lawyers objected, but he did allow still photographers in court.
Photographers were allowed to shoot from the corridor leading to the courtroom as well.