Former President Donald Trump Convicted in Hush-Money Trial
New York, June 2, 2024
Former President Donald J. Trump was convicted on May 30, 2024, on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges stemmed from efforts to conceal hush money payments linked to a sex scandal that threatened his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump becomes the first former U.S. president to be declared a felon.
The six-week trial in Manhattan saw 20 witnesses testify, including David Pecker, former publisher of The National Enquirer, who described efforts to suppress stories damaging to Trump's campaign. These actions, known as "catch and kill," were a central focus of the prosecution's case. Trump plans to appeal the verdict, with sentencing scheduled for July 11, 2024.
Additional Context:
- Trump has continued to assert his innocence and indicated plans to contest the decision post-sentencing.
- Stormy Daniels, one of the key figures in the scandal, expressed relief at the verdict and suggested community service as part of Trump's punishment.
- Former allies and supporters have had varied reactions, some calling for drastic actions, while others, including Trump's eldest son, have dismissed the verdict.
Despite the conviction, Trump has signaled his intention to remain active in the political arena, including a potential presidential run.