Donald Trump has become the first former U.S. president to be convicted of felony crimes after a New York jury found him guilty of all 34 charges related to a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election.
Trump remained expressionless as the verdict was read, while cheers from the street below could be heard in the courthouse hallway where the decision was announced after more than nine hours of deliberation.
“This was a rigged, disgraceful trial,” the former American president angrily told reporters after leaving the courtroom. “The real verdict is going to be on November 5th by the people. They know what happened, and everyone knows what happened here.”
Judge Juan Merchan scheduled sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where GOP leaders are expected to formally nominate Trump despite the verdict.
The conviction is a significant legal setback for Trump and exposes him to potential prison time in the city where his manipulation of the tabloid press helped elevate him from a real estate magnate to a reality TV star and eventually president.
As Trump aims to reclaim the White House in the upcoming election, the judgment presents voters with another challenge regarding their acceptance of his controversial behaviour.
Trump is expected to appeal the verdict and will face a challenging dynamic as he returns to the campaign trail with these convictions.
No campaign rallies are scheduled for now, although he attended a previously planned fundraiser in Manhattan on Thursday evening, according to sources familiar with his plans.
He is expected to appear at Trump Tower on Friday and continue fundraising next week. His campaign is already working to raise money following the verdict, describing him as a “political prisoner” in their appeals.
