May 30, 2024
- A Manhattan jury found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in his New York hush money criminal trial. Judge Juan Merchan set a sentencing hearing for July 11.
- Prosecutors accused Trump of taking part in an illegal conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the 2016 presidential election and an unlawful plan to suppress negative information, which included concealing a hush money payment to an adult film star.
- A felony conviction of a former president or party frontrunner is unprecedented, but Trump can still run for office.
- The former president called the jury’s decision a “disgrace” and said the “real verdict” will come during the presidential election on November 5. President Joe Biden said on social media his 2024 rival can only be defeated at the ballot box.
Donald Trump was convicted by Judge Juan Merchan in the hush money criminal trial of falsifying business records to influence the 2016 presidential campaign, on Thursday, in a historic trial that saw a former U.S. president face criminal charges for the first time.
After deliberating over two days, a New York jury found Trump guilty of 34 counts related to a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The prosecution had alleged Daniels was paid to keep secret a 2006 tryst she had with Trump in order to influence the results of the 2016 election, which Trump ultimately won.
Trump’s sentencing has been scheduled for July 11.
The trial lasted a month and a half and was plenty eventful.
ALSO READ: Trump pleads not guilty to 34 criminal charges in historic New York court hearing
In addition to the fiery testimonies of Daniels and Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, Trump was held in contempt of court 10 times and fined $10,000 for violating a gag order against attacking people involved with the trial.
Many Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, traveled to New York to speak out in support of the 2024 Republican presidential candidate.
Trump, who did not testify in his defense, is likely to appeal the verdict. The result may have an impact on Trump’s chances to reclaim the White House, however.
Recent Yahoo News/YouGov polling suggested a conviction would hurt Trump in head-to-head polling against President Joe Biden.
