A jury convicted former President Donald Trump on all 34 charges related to falsifying business records. Here are the key points:
- Trump was found guilty in a New York criminal trial
- He is the first former U.S. president ever convicted of a crime
- The charges involve 34 counts of falsifying records to cover up hush money payments
- Trump will be sentenced on July 11th
This verdict comes just months before the 2024 presidential election that Trump is running in. What does it mean for his campaign?
Trump Supporters Rally Behind Him
After the guilty verdict, Trump’s presidential campaign website crashed because so many supporters rushed to donate money. His team sees the conviction as politically motivated by Trump’s opponents.
“This was a rigged, disgraceful trial,” Trump said. “The real verdict is going to be in November ’24 by the people.”
Trump’s backers believe the case was unfair and that liberal, anti-Trump forces in New York made sure he would be convicted no matter what.
“This is a black mark on the judicial system of the United States,” said Jan Halper Hayes, a psychologist who advised Trump’s White House transition team.
Breaking Down the 34 Charges
The 34 charges of falsifying business records relate to 34 different invoices and checks issued to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
If it had just been a single check and invoice to reimburse Michael Cohen for that payment, it would have only been one charge.
The 34 counts “sound like ‘oh my gosh, it’s huge,'” said Halper Hayes. “But I think it’s important for people to understand how they got to 34 counts.”
A Divided Nation Reacts
The verdict highlighted the deep political divisions in America. Trump’s critics celebrated seeing a former president held accountable for breaking the law.
“Do you believe in the rule of law? Do you trust the jury?” supporters of the conviction asked Trump’s team.
Meanwhile, Trump loyalists see the case as an unfair political attack by Trump’s Democratic rivals aimed at hurting his chances in the 2024 election.
“This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound or hurt a political opponent,” Trump claimed.
What’s Next for Trump’s Campaign?
Despite the guilty verdict, Trump has made clear he does not plan to drop out of the 2024 presidential race. He vowed to appeal the conviction.
“We’ll fight till the end, and we’ll win,” Trump told supporters. “Our country’s gone to hell…but this is long from over.”
The bigger question is whether the criminal conviction will damage Trump’s popularity with voters. Some political analysts think it could hurt his chances, while others believe it may actually boost his anti-establishment appeal.
Only time will tell how this historic verdict will impact the unpredictable 2024 election. One thing is certain – the nation remains as deeply divided as ever over Trump’s legacy.
What do you think? How will Trump’s guilty verdict affect his presidential campaign?
