Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all counts in his hush-money trial in New York, marking a historic moment as the first American president to be convicted of a felony. The jury convicted Trump of falsifying business records in connection with a hush-money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election.
After a tense five-week trial and two days of deliberations, the jury delivered a unanimous verdict on all 34 felony counts. Trump, 77, remained expressionless as the verdict was announced, but later emerged from the courthouse to address reporters, calling the trial rigged and a disgrace.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg thanked the jurors for their service, emphasizing that the trial followed the facts and the law. Trump faces up to four years in prison, though the sentence is likely to be shorter, possibly with fines or probation.
Despite the conviction, Trump will not be jailed before sentencing, which is set for July 11. His lawyer indicated that they plan to appeal the verdict, alleging bias and judicial errors. The trial included testimony from Stormy Daniels and Trump’s former fixer, Michael Cohen, who detailed the hush-money payment.
The verdict has sparked reactions from both sides, with Biden’s campaign urging voters to reject Trump in the upcoming election. The case in Manhattan District Court is the first of Trump’s criminal cases to go to trial, with three other prosecutions pending. The outcome of the trial sets a significant precedent in American political history.