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Donald Trump during a court hearing on Thursday
A US jury has found Donald Trump guilty of all 34 counts in his hush money trial. It is the first time a former US president has been convicted. Trump called the verdict a “disgrace”.
IA jury found former President Donald Trump guilty in a trial over concealing hush money payments to porn actresses, the jury announced Thursday in New York. It is the first time a former president has been convicted of a crime. Trump appeared calm in court that afternoon but accepted the verdict with an outwardly nonchalant attitude.
In a brief statement outside the court, he called the verdict a “disgrace,” said the judge was corrupt and that the “real verdict” would be made in the US presidential election in November. “I am a very innocent man,” Trump said.
Judge Juan Merchan will sentence on July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention, where Trump is expected to be named the party’s presidential nominee. Trump faces several years in prison, probation or a fine. The Republican can appeal — and even if convicted, he can run in the November presidential election.
The jury consists of seven men and five women
Prosecutors accuse Trump of paying $130,000 to keep quiet, jeopardizing his chances of winning the 2016 presidential election Porn actress Stormy Daniels Wanting to improve and then illegally recording cash flow. The seven men and five women on the jury have heard testimony from more than 20 witnesses since mid-April – jury deliberations have been ongoing since Wednesday.
While the payments themselves were not illegal (which none of the parties dispute), the 77-year-old is said to have doctored documents when returning the money to his then-personal attorney, Michael Cohen, in order to conceal the true reason for the transaction. This made him guilty of 34 counts of illegal campaign finance. Trump’s lawyers argued that these were ordinary legal expenses.
Judgments that have an impact on the election
The ruling could also have an impact on the current US election campaign – but the question is: to what extent and in whose favour? Trump has tried to turn the case into a personal gain and mobilize his supporters by portraying himself as a victim of a politically motivated justice system. However, many voters are likely to view the first criminal conviction of a former US president as a disgrace.
On the other hand, incumbent President Joe Biden, who is looking to run for re-election in November, does not appear to have benefited significantly from his challenger’s legal problems. The latest polls show that for many Americans, the verdict will have little impact on their decision to vote on November 5. However, the verdict could have an impact – especially if a jail sentence is unlikely.
The trial took place in downtown Manhattan amid unprecedented media attention and strict security precautions. The US media covered the events in Manhattan like a major sporting event and quoted every minute of the courtroom, which does not allow television recordings. Trump’s every move was also commented on, as he always attended the sessions, effectively just changing the color of his tie every day.
Trump often wore a serious expression during brief photo opportunities at the start of the proceedings. Trump appeared to follow some witness interviews with interest, while on other days the US media was convinced he had his eyes closed for long periods of time because he dozed off. He used the trial and the media outcry against the campaign to often deliver angry monologues in Courtroom 1530 about proceedings he considered politically motivated.
Trump also turned the trial into a loyalty test for his Republican followers. In addition to House Speaker Mike Johnson, vice presidential candidate Senator J.D. Vance and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy also arrived.
Trump’s children Eric, Donald Jr. and Tiffany were also in the courtroom. In addition to the absence of daughter Ivanka, what was particularly noticeable was that his wife Melania Trump refused to publicly support her.
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