Trump Convicted of 34 Felony Counts in Manhattan Trial
Former US President Donald J. Trump was convicted on Thursday of falsifying business records to conceal a sex scandal that threatened his 2016 presidential campaign. The Manhattan jury found the former president guilty on all 34 counts, marking an unprecedented moment in US political history.
The verdict could have significant implications for the former president’s third presidential campaign. The presumptive Republican nominee now runs as a convicted criminal, presenting voters with a stark choice between an unpopular incumbent and a felon. Despite this, former President Trump’s loyal supporters remain unfazed, seeing him as a political martyr.
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In a somber courtroom scene, the former president showed little emotion as the verdict was read. Later, outside the courthouse, he denounced the conviction as “a disgrace” and stated, “The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5, by the people,” referring to the upcoming Election Day.
Judge Juan M. Merchan allowed the former president to remain free on his own recognizance, setting the sentencing for July 11, shortly before the Republican National Convention. Prosecutor Alvin L. Bragg has not disclosed whether he will seek a prison term for the convicted president, who could face up to four years behind bars or receive probation.
The jury, composed of 12 New Yorkers, deliberated for nearly 10 hours before reaching their decision. The case revolved around a $130,000 hush-money payment made to Stormy Daniels, a porn star, to keep her from publicizing her alleged 2006 one-night tryst with Trump. The prosecution argued that as a presidential candidate a decade later, Trump falsified business records to hide the hush money payment and its impact on the election.
Michael D. Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, testified that he facilitated the payment and that candidate Trump approved falsifying the records to disguise the reimbursement as legal fees. The defense attacked Cohen’s credibility, but his testimony and the evidence presented convinced the jury.
