After 11 hours of deliberations, a verdict has been announced in the hush money case involving former President Donald J. Trump. As Trump himself predicted on Wednesday, it's guilty.
The 12 jurors tasked with deciding Trump's fate found him guilty on all 34 felony counts.
Before the jury began deliberations in New York v. Trump, Judge Juan Merchan instructed its members that they did not need to have a unanimous verdict in order to convict the former president. Merchan warned against “outbursts” of any kind while the verdict was being read.
The trial carries significant stakes both legally and politically. At the core of the case is the allegation that Trump, through his onetime fixer Michael Cohen, paid $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her silent about an alleged affair, violating campaign finance laws by failing to report the expenditure as a campaign contribution.
Fox News reacts to Trump being found guilty pic.twitter.com/9BZT8xWzbt
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 30, 2024
A frown was reportedly visible on Trump's face as the guilty counts were read aloud.
What Happens Next?
A sentence could result in fines and potentially jail time for Trump. He will learn his fate on July 11.
But before the New Yorkers on the jury could even dot the i's and cross the t's on their forms, the Trump campaign swooped in with a brand new ad.
🚨 BREAKING: Trump releases SAVAGE new ad from court as jury deliberates verdict in trial.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 30, 2024
This is 🔥
pic.twitter.com/eLqWNE2bjb
A slight favorite to win the White House, pundits have hypothesized that Trump may face diminished support from voters who aren't keen on backing a candidate with a criminal record. On the flip side, it could galvanize his base and swing voters, who view the trial as a politically motivated attack while the economy remains in the gutter. (RELATED: Actor Dennis Quaid Backs Trump Amid Trial)
Speaking to cameras as he left the courtroom, a defiant Trump said: “This was a rigged, disgraceful trial. The real verdict is going to be November 5, by the people.”
Trump's full remarks following the guilty verdict pic.twitter.com/5NrkNsuiHu
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 30, 2024
Meanwhile, reaction to the verdict poured in from across the political spectrum:
My statement on President Trump trial verdict:
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) May 30, 2024
Today is a shameful day in American history. Democrats cheered as they convicted the leader of the opposing party on ridiculous charges, predicated on the testimony of a disbarred, convicted felon. This was a purely political…
A jury of Donald Trump's peers just convicted him of 34 felonies. Guilty on all counts. Lock him up!
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) May 30, 2024
The verdict in New York is a complete travesty that makes a mockery of our system of justice
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 30, 2024
A political show trial conducted by an openly pro-Biden judge whose daughter makes money off the case, a jury from the most liberal county in America, absurd and ridiculous charges and…
34/34. So much winning.
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) May 30, 2024
From the beginning of this sham trial, I stood by President Trump, and my support for him is stronger than ever. As Attorney General of Texas, I will unleash every tool at my disposal to fight this blatant corruption and political persecution spewing from New York and the Biden…
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) May 30, 2024
Sad day for the presidency, a sad day in our political history, but a triumph for the rule of law https://t.co/B00wia3CZQ
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) May 30, 2024
This is a bad day for the rule of law, and in the immortal words of Mitch McConnell: pic.twitter.com/SnSHE1Laad
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) May 30, 2024
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