Former U.S. president Donald Trump has been found guilty in his hush-money trial in New York, making him the first former president to be convicted of a crime. The charges revolve around the accusation that Trump falsely classified reimbursements related to a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels as legal expenses. He was convicted on all 34 charges in a case in which he claimed to be a target of “political persecution.” While sentencing is scheduled for July 11, it’s thought unlikely that Trump will end up in prison, with potential alternatives being probation or community service.
Despite the conviction, Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, can still run for president. In response to the verdict, he claimed his innocence and declared the “real verdict” will come on Election Day, November 5. His trial, which saw nearly two dozen witnesses including Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels, resulted from claims that Trump concealed damaging information ahead of the 2016 election. Trump, his allies, and Republicans in the House have heavily criticized the trial, accusing the judge and prosecution of bias and misconduct.
Meanwhile, as the case unfolds, Trump still remains competitive in polling for the presidential race, with his campaign team criticising the Biden campaign for rolling out “washed up actor” Robert De Niro at a recent event.