A New York jury found Donald Trump guilty of multiple crimes at his trial, making him the first former US president to be convicted of crimes.
Trump was found guilty on Thursday of all 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide a secret payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 election. Prosecutors said Trump led a broader scheme to influence the election by hiding stories of his alleged sexual encounters with women.
The conviction creates a daunting legal and political path for Trump, who will face President Joe Biden in November as the presumptive Republican nominee. Trump, who has repeatedly attacked the case as Democratic election interference, could be sentenced to up to four years in prison, but will certainly appeal and could remain free during the process. Trump denied having an affair with Daniels and falsifying records.
The verdict is one of the most important moments in US political history, forcing voters to decide whether they want a convicted criminal in the White House. But Trump, a billionaire who made his fortune in real estate, maintains an iron grip on the Republican Party despite his history of legal and personal scandals.
Trump, 77, still faces criminal trials in Washington and Georgia for his attempt to overturn the 2020 election, and one in Florida for failing to return classified national security documents he obtained from the White House. However, his fundraising and political support remain strong and he leads Biden in many polls. If he is elected, Trump cannot pardon himself because he was convicted on state, not federal, charges.
2024-05-30 22:02:08