Donald Trump Found Guilty in Hush Money Trial
Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has become the first former U.S. president convicted of a crime. On Thursday, a New York jury found Trump guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges stemmed from hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. The verdict came after approximately nine and a half hours of deliberation.
The sentencing is set for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention. Trump could theoretically face over a decade in prison, though it's expected that the sentencing may not lead to jail time due to his non-violent and first-time offender status. The judge, Juan Merchan, might impose penalties such as fines or probation instead.
The trial saw testimonies from Daniels, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, and other key figures including former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker and former Trump aides Hope Hicks and Madeleine Westerhout. Prosecutors escalated the charges from misdemeanors to felonies due to alleged election conspiracy and campaign finance violations.
Trump has vowed to appeal the verdict and has publicly denounced the trial as "rigged." As he continues campaigning, he faces additional legal battles with three other criminal indictments in Florida, Washington D.C., and Georgia.
Additionally, despite the conviction, Trump remains eligible to vote in Florida, where he resides, as state law restores voting rights upon release from prison. Trump’s campaign has reportedly raised significant funds post-verdict, with his son Eric Trump claiming that over $200 million has been raised.
The legal implications of Trump’s conviction and its effects on his 2024 presidential bid remain uncertain. Notably, Trump can't pardon himself for state convictions should he win the presidency again. Legal experts suggest any attempt by Trump to pardon himself for federal charges would probably escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court.
This historic conviction comes amidst a fraught political landscape with Trump continuing to assert his innocence and rallying his base against what he perceives as political persecution.