In a historic and unprecedented decision, former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in a criminal scheme involving hush money intended to influence the 2016 election. The jury, after less than 12 hours of deliberation, delivered a verdict that could have significant implications for Trump, who remains the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election.
“This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt,” Trump proclaimed defiantly at the courthouse after the verdict was read. “This was a rigged trial, a disgrace.” He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11 at 10 a.m. ET.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office charged Trump with felony falsification of business records, a crime defined as making or causing false entries in records with the intent to commit a secondary crime. The prosecution alleged that Trump falsified records to conceal reimbursements to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen. Cohen had paid adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to buy her silence about an alleged affair with Trump.
Prosecutors argued that the hush money payment constituted an illegal campaign contribution, as it was made solely to benefit Trump’s 2016 campaign and far exceeded the individual contribution cap of $2,700. They called 20 witnesses over the course of four weeks to build their case, including Cohen, Daniels, and other Trump confidants and employees.
Cohen proved to be a pivotal witness, detailing how he secured a home equity loan to pay Daniels and later sought reimbursement from Trump. He testified about a meeting in January 2017 with Trump and former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, where they discussed the repayment plan. Cohen submitted 11 invoices for bogus legal services, leading to 34 instances of alleged falsifications.
In one striking moment, Cohen recalled Trump’s reaction when he learned that Daniels was about to go public with her story. “Just take care of it,” Trump reportedly said. “This was a disaster, a fucking disaster. Women will hate me.”
Daniels provided damning testimony about her encounter with Trump, recounting a hotel room meeting in which she described Trump’s awkward advances and their subsequent sexual encounter. Her testimony, though uncomfortable, highlighted the lengths to which Trump went to keep the affair under wraps.
Following the verdict, Joe Biden’s campaign quickly responded. “In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law,” wrote communications director Michael Tyler. “Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain.”
Despite the verdict, Trump’s political future remains uncertain. As Biden’s campaign emphasized, the ultimate decision lies with the American voters. “There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box,” Tyler concluded.
Trump’s conviction marks a significant chapter in American political history, demonstrating that even those at the highest levels of power can be held accountable for their actions. As the nation watches, the impact of this trial will undoubtedly resonate through the upcoming election and beyond.
