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Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to a porn star, marking him as the first former president to be convicted of a felony. The unanimous verdict from a 12-person jury concluded a six-week trial where prosecutors alleged Trump orchestrated an illegal conspiracy to influence the 2016 presidential election.
The conviction adds a criminal record to Trump’s profile as he campaigns for the presidency once again. He was convicted on all felony counts brought by the prosecution.
As the jury foreperson announced the verdict, Trump maintained a stoic expression, though his face appeared slightly flushed. Following the confirmation of the verdict by each juror, Trump remained composed, staring straight ahead.
Judge Juan Merchan is tasked with determining Trump’s sentence, scheduled for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention. The charges carry a maximum sentence of four years, but given the nonviolent nature of the crime and Trump’s lack of prior convictions, alternatives such as home confinement, probation, or supervised release are possible. Fines or community service could also be imposed.
Trump and his legal team swiftly responded to the verdict. In a fundraising email, Trump declared himself a “political prisoner,” despite not being incarcerated. He also labeled the trial as “rigged” and predicted that the “real verdict” would come from the voters on November 5.
An appeal is expected, which could prolong the legal process for months or even years. Meanwhile, Trump faces other legal challenges, including accusations related to the 2020 election and the handling of classified documents, though these cases are unlikely to proceed to trial before the next election.
Despite the conviction, it appears unlikely to significantly impact Trump’s standing in the 2024 presidential race, where he holds a slight lead over President Joe Biden in several swing-state polls. Throughout the trial, Trump’s GOP allies demonstrated unwavering support, with various elected Republicans and surrogates appearing at the courthouse.
The jury found that Trump falsified business records to conceal payments made to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, reimbursing Cohen for the $130,000 in hush money paid to Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election. Prosecutors argued this was done to avoid damaging his presidential bid, and the reimbursement was falsely recorded as legal expenses.
To secure a conviction, the jury had to determine beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump falsified the records with fraudulent intent to conceal another crime, specifically violating New York state election law and campaign finance laws. Trump denied any wrongdoing, labeling the case as politically motivated and criticizing the judge, prosecutor, and witnesses throughout the trial.
