Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty of criminal charges in a landmark trial that marks the first-ever criminal conviction of a sitting or former U.S. president. The trial, held in New York state criminal court in Manhattan, saw prosecutors present hard evidence to back up testimony from Michael Cohen, a star witness branded a liar by the defense.
Jurors heard testimony from insiders at Trump’s real estate company, his 2016 presidential campaign, and his White House, which supported the core elements of the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The evidence presented included bank records, emails, and a recording of Trump discussing a hush money payment.
The jury ultimately found Trump guilty of illegally falsifying business records to hide his reimbursement to Cohen for a $130,000 payment made to silence porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Cohen testified that Trump directed him to make the payment and that it was falsely labeled as legal retainer fees in Trump’s company’s books.
The verdict vindicated Bragg, who argued that the case was about corrupting the 2016 election, not about sex. The prosecution highlighted a “catch-and-kill” conspiracy to manipulate and defraud voters, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges.
While Trump is expected to appeal the conviction, the trial has significant implications for the other criminal cases he faces related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election and retaining sensitive government documents. The trial showcased the importance of evidence in proving Trump’s involvement in the hush money scheme, despite challenges to Cohen’s credibility.