Former President Trump found guilty in historic New York criminal case
The jury has found Donald Trump guilty of 34 counts falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Prosecutors argued that impacted the election outcome.
The basis for the 34 counts against Trump are: 11 invoices, 12 ledger entries and 11 checks recording the repayment as legal “retainers.” Nine of the checks were signed by Trump, himself.
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Trump called the outcome a "disgrace" and said the "real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people."
After blasting the judge, Trump continued to use dire rhetoric to paint the future of America if he does not win the election.
"Our country has gone to hell, we don't have the same country anymore," he said in roughly 90 seconds of remarks to gathered cameras.
Trump declined to answer questions.
Trump has said that he would appeal a guilty verdict, but it's unlikely that an appeal would be decided before the election, Boston University law professor Jed Shugerman told NPR.
Following the verdict, Republican politicians at the state level and on Capitol Hill took to social media and referred to the trial as a "sham show"or "travesty."
Using the very same claims that Trump has repeated, Republican Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance referred to this trial and its outcome as "election interference," hinting at the rhetoric that Trump and his supporters will continue to use following this case and leading up to the November general election.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene simply posted on the social media platform X a photo of an upside-down American flag — a symbol commonly used by Jan. 6 rioters and which has become a symbol of election deniers.
The Biden campaign said today's New York verdict shows that "no one is above the law," but told voters that President Trump still poses a "threat...to our democracy."
"There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box," Biden-Harris 2024 Communications Director Michael Tyler said in a statement. "Convicted felon or not, Trump will be the Republican nominee for president."
Get up to speed:
The 34 charges: The case centered on allegations Trump falsified business records to disguise the hush money payment as legal services to his former fixer, Michael Cohen, to conceal other crimes, such as violating campaign finance or tax laws.
The key witnesses: Jurors heard from 20 witnesses, including Daniels and Cohen, both critical to prosecutors’ case. Trump’s defense team sought to discredit them. Catch up on a recap of the arguments.
The jury: Twelve jurors (and six alternates) were selected from a pool of hundreds in April. They are litigators, teachers, physical therapists and investment bankers.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
