Decision reached in clandestine payment case - Trump has been found guilty.
In a shocking turn of events, the jury in the New York hush money case involving former President Trump has rendered a historic verdict after lengths of deliberation. At precisely 5:07 p.m. in New York, Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts. This is a groundbreaking moment in the US: No previous president has ever been criminally accused, let alone convicted!
The political implications of this verdict are equally significant. Trump is currently the designated Republican candidate, gearing up to race against the 81-year-old Democrat, Joe Biden (Election: November 5th).
Shortly after the verdict was declared, Judge Juan Merchan thanked the jurors. Sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 11th.
Remaining composed despite the news, Trump was seen seated in the courtroom. The camera showed him with a vacant expression on his face, quietly gazing at the jury and then declaring, "I'm an innocent man." His attorney, Todd Blanche, demanded the verdict be overturned, slamming, "The court can't allow this verdict. There was no evidence!"
Beyond Trump's personal distress, the repercussions for the 2024 election year are huge. The Republican's opponents will now be able to label him "a convicted criminal," particularly Joe Biden. The polls report that around 20% of swing voters were hesitant to support Trump under these circumstances.
In an attempt to minimize the impact before the verdict, Trump tried to downplay the disastrous outcome. Shifting blame, he claimed to have been embroiled in a "politically motivated, unfair, and disgraceful process." According to him, even Mother Teresa wouldn't have been acquitted "in this circus."
Moving forward, Judge Juan Merchan—a no-nonsense 61-year-old—will decide Trump's punishment in a future hearing. It's expected that the sentence will be probation. However, there's a possibility of imprisonment. The Secret Service planning for Trump's protection has reportedly discussed logistics with local detention authorities, CBS revealed. Breathtaking: The agents would have to guard Trump even in prison!
The ex-president is expected to immediately file an appeal.
The central issue in the trial revolved around Trump's alleged attempts to hide a previously reported affair with porn star Stormy Daniels (45). In this case, his former lawyer and "fixer," Michael Cohen (57), used hush money to pay Daniels $130,000 during the 2016 campaign.
What's the crux?
In the indictment, Trump allegedly forged business documents, disguising the true purpose of the payments as "legal fees." This was the key crime charged.
However, to escalate a minor offense to a prison-worthy crime, the jury also considered the prosecution's second argument: Trump allegedly manipulated the 2016 election through the suppression of his sexual affairs and, as a result, violated New York's election, campaign finance, and tax laws. The lead prosecutor, Joshua Steinglass, passionately argued this was "an assault on the foundation of American democracy."
Trump's defense vehemently argued that he committed no wrongdoing and was an "innocent man." But the jury saw it differently.
