In a historic verdict, former U.S. President Donald Trump was found guilty on Thursday by a New York jury for falsifying documents to conceal a payment intended to silence a porn star prior to the 2016 election, reported Reuters.
The twelve-member jury, after two days of deliberation, unanimously convicted Trump on all 34 counts he faced. Justice Juan Merchan scheduled sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention, which is set to nominate Trump for president.
Merchan commended the jurors for their dedication, emphasizing their freedom of choice. Trump, who faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison, has denied any wrongdoing and plans to appeal.
This unprecedented development adds uncertainty to the upcoming November 5 presidential election, where Trump seeks to regain the White House from Democratic President Joe Biden. Despite the conviction, Trump will remain free until sentencing, allowing him to continue campaigning.
Outside the courtroom, Trump maintained his innocence, vowing to persevere. He criticized the verdict as biased and pledged to prevail in the court of public opinion come election day.
The guilty verdict has already begun to shape the political landscape, with opinion polls suggesting potential repercussions for Trump’s candidacy. Additionally, the verdict has prompted Trump’s campaign to intensify considerations for his vice presidential running mate selection.
Despite condemnation from some Republicans, the verdict has rallied support among Trump’s donors. Mega donors such as Miriam Adelson and Robert Bigelow have pledged substantial contributions to bolster pro-Trump efforts in battleground states.
Bigelow, a staunch supporter of Trump, denounced the criminal proceedings as a disgrace and pledged an additional $5 million in support. Other donors, like former Trump ambassador Don Tapia and Silicon Valley investor Shaun Maguire, have also committed significant sums to back Trump’s candidacy.
The trial, which spanned six weeks, featured explicit testimony from porn star Stormy Daniels regarding an alleged encounter with Trump in 2006, which Trump denies.