Trump Guilty On All 34 Counts In Hush Money Case

Donald Trump has become the first ex-U.S. president to be convicted of felony crimes as a New York jury found him guilty of all 34 charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who claimed they had sex, Michael R. Sisak, Jennifer Peltz, Eric Tucker, Michelle L. Price, and Jill Colvin reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts marks the end of the former president’s historic hush money trial. I Photo: Michael Vadon Flickr

Trump sat stone-faced while the verdict was read, as cheering from the street below could be heard in the hallway on the courthouse’s 15th floor where the decision was revealed after more than nine hours of deliberations.

Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts marks the end of the former president’s historic hush money trial. However, the fight over the case is far from over.

Judge Juan M. Merchan has set the former president’s sentencing for July 11, just days before Republicans are set to select him as the 2024 nominee. Trump may be convicted of a felony and reside in Florida, but he can still vote as long as he stays out of prison in New York state.

“This was a rigged, disgraceful trial,” an angry Trump told reporters after leaving the courtroom.

“The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people. They know what happened, and everyone knows what happened here.” Trump is expected to appeal the verdict and will face an awkward dynamic as he returns to the campaign trail tagged with convictions.