Watch: Trump Responds After NY Guilty Verdict
Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts in his New York ‘hush money’ trial. The outcome makes him the first former president to become a convicted felon.
Trump reportedly stared ahead motionless as the verdict was read.
The trial centered on allegations that Trump falsified business records in order to conceal a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 US election. Prosecutors under Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg argued that Trump oversaw a scheme to influence the 2016 election by using Trump Organization records to conceal the payments.
“Everything Mr. Trump and his cohorts did in this case is cloaked in lies,” said prosecutor Joshua Steinglass. “The evidence is literally overwhelming.”
Trump Responds
“This is a rigged, disgraceful trial,” Trump said in response, adding “The real verdict will be on November 5.”
Judge Juan Merchan will now decide Trump’s sentence on July 11 – days before Republicans are set to select him as the 2024 nominee. The crime has a maximum sentence of four years in prison. That said, Merchan could also opt for home confinement, probation, supervised release, fines or community service.
Biden Campaign Responds
“In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law,” reads a statement.
“Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain. But today’s verdict does not change the fact that American people face a simple reality. There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box. Convicted felon or not, Trump will be the Republican nominee for president.”
Trump is certain to appeal the verdict, which could take months or even years – however Democrats now have their ‘Felon Trump’ talking point which they think will help Joe Biden come November.
