NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 30: Former U.S. President Donald Trump walks to speak to the media after being found guilty following his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 30, 2024 in New York City. The former president was found guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. Trump has now become the first former U.S. president to be convicted of felony crimes. (Photo by Seth Wenig-Pool/Getty Images)
Whew! Donald Trump made history today (May 30) as the first former U.S. president to be convicted of felony crimes. After 9.5 hours of deliberations, a New York jury found him guilty on all 34 counts in the case shortly before 5 p.m. ET.
He is guilty of falsifying business records after paying adult entertainer Stormy Daniels $130,000 shortly before his presidential election.
Associated Press reports that Donald sat “stone-faced with his eyes looking down” as the jury finished reading the verdict. Trump began slowly looking around the room and glanced at the jury, still expressionless, as they affirmed they found him guilty on all counts.
Immediately after the verdict and jury dismissal, Trump’s defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, requested a “judgment of acquittal.”
“There’s no basis and no way this jury could have reached a verdict without accepting the testimony of Michael Cohen,” Blanche said.
Trump’s lawyer, Blanche, struck out, though. Judge Merchan denied his acquittal motion.
As previously reported, the jury began deliberations on Wednesday (May 30) after seven weeks of testimonies in the hush money trial. Deliberations were slightly delayed after the jury asked to rehear testimony from a tabloid publisher and Trump’s former lawyer and personal fixer, Michael Cohen. The jury had also asked to revisit a portion of the judge’s instructions on navigating the law.
Ultimately, the prosecution called 20 witnesses throughout the trial, while Trump’s attorneys only called two. Testimonies claimed that Trump, his fixer Cohen, and David Pecker conspired to cover up the payment to Stormy. Cohen testified twice, and Pecker testified on his phone calls with Trump.
Ahead of his trial, Donald reassured his supporters that he would “absolutely” testify but never took the stand.
Despite his guilty verdict, Trump walked out of the courthouse today, offering the press his thoughts on the trial’s conclusion. He maintained the same stance he has since his indictment last year — innocent in a “rigged” trial. He also took shots at the trial’s presiding Judge Merchan and President Biden’s administration.
“This was a disgrace; this was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt. This is a rigged trial, a disgrace. They wouldn’t give us a venue change, we are at five percent or six percent in this district, in this area. This is a rigged, disgraceful trial. The real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people, and they know what happened here, and everybody knows what happened here…We didn’t do a thing wrong, I’m a very innocent man. And it’s okay. I’m fighting for our country, I’m fighting for our constitution. Our whole country is being rigged right now. This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound or hurt a political opponent and I think it’s just a disgrace.”
Donald didn’t end his remarks there, assuring his supporters that he’ll “keep fighting because our country has gone to hell.”
Watch his comments below.
The former U.S. president also took to his social media platforms with additional commentary on his self-proclaimed innocence.
“My civil rights have been totally violated with this highly political, unconstitutional, and election-interfering witch hunt. Our failing nation is being laughed at all over the world,” Donald Trump wrote.
Swipe below to see what else he said about the verdict and Judge Merchan.
His former fixer has also weighed in, per AP. In a text, Michael Cohen reportedly said:
“Today is an important day for accountability and the rule of law. While it has been a difficult journey for me and my family, the truth always matters.” Additionally, he thanked his attorneys “for their invaluable guidance and support.”
Note that Donald Trump still has three other cases against him — a federal election interference case in Washington, D.C., a state election interference case in Georgia, and a federal case alleging he mishandled classified documents and national security information.
After Judge Merchan dismissed the jury and rejected the acquittal motion, he set Donnie’s sentencing date for July 11. The date is significant, given that it lands just days before the Republican party is set to confirm him as their official nominee for the 2024 presidential election.
However, Trump’s conviction doesn’t bar him from continuing his campaign. His daughter-in-law Lara Trump, who serves as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, said in a Fox News Channel interview on Thursday that if Trump is convicted and sentenced to home confinement, he would do virtual rallies and campaign events.
It’s unclear to what extent the judge may factor in the political and logistical complexities of jailing a former president who is running to reclaim the White House.
For context, though, falsifying business records is a Class E felony in New York, the lowest tier of felony charges in the state. It is punishable by up to four years in prison, though the punishment would ultimately be up to the judge, and there’s no guarantee he would give Trump time behind bars.
Other punishments could include a fine or probation. And it’s possible the judge would allow Trump to avoid serving any punishment until after he exhausts his appeals.
For now, Judge Merchan has allowed him to remain released on his own recognizance until his sentencing.
Stay tapped in with The Shade Room as we bring you updates on this closed trial.
Associated Press staff MICHAEL R. SISAK, JILL COLVIN, MICHELLE L. PRICE, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER, and TSR Social Producer AMANI M. contributed to this report.
