
(Scypre.com) – Donald Trump made history as the first former American president to be convicted of felony crimes. A New York jury found him guilty of all 34 charges related to a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who claimed they had a sexual encounter.
As the verdict was read, Trump remained emotionless, while cheers from outside the courthouse were audible. After the verdict, Trump expressed his outrage, calling the trial “rigged and disgraceful” and predicting that the true judgment would come from the voters on November 5.
Judge Juan M. Merchan scheduled the sentencing for July 11, just before the Republican National Convention. Despite the verdict, GOP leaders continue to support Trump, who is expected to be their nominee.
The conviction marks a significant legal blow for Trump, potentially leading to prison time. As he campaigns to reclaim the White House, this judgment will test voters’ tolerance for his controversial actions. Trump plans to appeal the verdict and will return to fundraising and campaign activities. His team is already leveraging the verdict for fundraising, portraying Trump as a “political prisoner.”
The charges of falsifying business records could result in up to four years in prison, though it’s uncertain if the judge will impose such a sentence. The conviction doesn’t prevent Trump from running for president again.
Trump is also facing three other felony indictments, but this New York case might be the only one concluded before the election. While the legal and historical implications are clear, the political impact remains uncertain, as Trump’s supporters and detractors are likely to hold firm in their views. His political career has survived numerous scandals and investigations, and this conviction might not be a game-changer for his candidacy.
Throughout the trial, Trump maintained his innocence and criticized the proceedings, often violating a gag order with inflammatory comments. His lawyer, Todd Blanche, stated that Trump did not receive a fair trial and plans to appeal.
Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, decried the trial as a political exercise. The trial tested the judicial system’s ability to handle such a high-profile case. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized that the trial followed the facts and the law without bias.
The charges stem from a $130,000 payment by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to porn actor Stormy Daniels to silence her allegations of a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump. The payment was falsely recorded as legal expenses. Trump’s defense argued that the payments were legitimate and motivated by personal concerns, not political ones.
Cohen, the key witness, provided detailed testimony about the hush money scheme and Trump’s involvement. Despite Trump’s denial of the sexual encounter and the payment’s purpose, the jury found the evidence compelling.
This case may have faced criticism for its perceived weakness compared to other charges against Trump, but its early resolution adds to its significance. Other pending cases, including allegations of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election and mishandling national security secrets, face delays and may not reach trial before the election.