Donald Trump Convicted on All Counts in Hush-Money Trial: Implications and Reactions

Former President Donald Trump has been convicted on all 34 counts in a hush-money trial in a monumental decision. It was the first time in American history that a former U.S. president had been convicted of a crime by a jury in New York City. The decision could have major implications for the November election, in which Trump is expected to face Democratic incumbent Joe Biden.

The Conviction Details

The trial, which zoomed in on 34 felony counts following covering up business documents associated with hush money paid to an adult film star Stormy Daniels around his 2016 presidential campaign, said Trump directed the payment to hide potential campaign damage, an illegal contribution to his campaign effort.

For more on this, read: The Trump Hush Money Trial: A Comprehensive Overview

Among the key evidence were testimonies from Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, who said,

“Mr. Trump directed me to use my own funds from a home equity line of credit to avoid any money being traced back to him that could negatively impact his campaign.”

The financial records confirmed the respectability of most of Cohen's allegations, including a paper trail that tracked the money and some of the moves made to disguise the payments by filing fake business entries.

_{Lt:Trump and Cohen in 2011, Rt: Trump hush money trail, where Cohen testifies} 

In closing arguments Monday, prosecutor Alvin Bragg called it a ' big scam.'

“This is not just about falsifying business records. This is about covering up a scheme to corrupt an election and cheat the American people.” 

also adding, 

“While this defendant may be unlike any other in American history, we arrived at this trial, and ultimately at this verdict, in the same manner as every other case that comes through the courthouse doors: by following the facts and the law without fear or favor.” 

The jury made its decision over five days of deliberations, and the lengthy trial included testimony from nearly two dozen witnesses, including financial experts who analysed complicated transactions.

Trump and Criminal Court Behaviour

Trump pleaded innocent and denied all charges in open court, using a “witch-hunt” approach to his defence up to the time he spent in a politically charged attack. The other defendant in the case's behaviour in the courtroom was typically stony, though he would occasionally become exasperated. As the guilty verdicts were delivered, Trump could be seen somber and with his eyes down, reporters noted.

Defence lawyer Todd Blanche tried to undermine Cohen’s testimony, saying that the ex-lawyer had committed various crimes in the past and thus was not someone whose word could be trusted. Judge Merchan threw out these motions, however, with Blanche arguing that

“there's no basis and no way this jury could have reached a verdict without accepting the testimony of Michael Cohen.

_{Former President Donald Trump leaves the courthouse after a jury found him guilty}

Responses from Politics and the Public

The reaction to these judgements was divided.

Trump's supporters and several Republican leaders condemned the verdict, seeing it as a politically motivated attack. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated, “Today is a shameful day in American history. This was a purely political exercise, not a legal one.”

On the other hand, Trump's critics and some Democratic leaders praised the decision as a demonstration of the rule of law.

Michael Tyler, Biden's Communications Director, conveyed the following:

“In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law,”

What Does This Change for Trump's Future 2024 Presidential Campaign?

At the base level, among Trump's core supporters, who view the charges as persecution and nothing else, nothing has changed. Donald Trump Jr. got in on the act, claiming the verdict was proof America has become a “shithole” and that “the Democrats have succeeded in their years long effort to turn America into a 3rd world shithole.

The guilty verdict comes closer to Martha Stewart territory, and from the perspective of getting over the top with suburban and undecided voters (always the toughest group to win for conservatives) who generally prefer tax cuts, deregulation, and protectionist trade policies, having a convicted felon inside your coalition makes the hit that much harder. "Judged guilty by a jury of 12—he knows there is no one who can survive that," said Melanie Sloan, a former prosecutor and government ethics expert. That may be a step too far.Trump Hit With $354.9 Million Penalties In New York Fraud Case

Trump's conviction does not prevent him from continuing his campaign or becoming president, and he can still vote in Florida as long as he stays out of prison in New York. A recent survey found that 67% of voters believe a conviction would have no impact in the November election, and 25% of Republicans would vote for Trump if found guilty.

Allan Lichtman, a professor at American University, believes Trump's criminal conviction could change history. His political model predicts the winner of every presidential race since 1984. The ultimate judgement on Trump's conviction will come from voters in November. If defeated, his guilty verdict may be seen as a reason for his defeat, while winning could be a footnote to his political career.

“History books will record this as a truly extraordinary, unprecedented event, but a lot will depend on what happens afterwards,''   adding,   “History is written by the winners, as we all know,”

For more on this: Trump Ordered To Pay $83.3 Million To Writer E. Jean Carroll In Defamation Verdict

Post-Conviction Fundraising

Trump’s campaign has begun fundraising in the wake of the ruling, planning high-profile fundraising events (like a possible rally at Madison Square Garden).

Now comes a very different chapter of fundraising as court dates give way to campaigning on a massive scale to raise enough money to cover legal bills and a potential bid for the White House. Following the decision, a fundraising email with the subject line "Political Prisoner" was sent out, stating, "I was just convicted in a RIGGED political Witch Hunt trial: I DID NOTHING WRONG!" 

Contribution surges crashed the campaign's donation site at times on the day of the verdict. Longtime venture capitalists David Sacks and Chamath Palihapitiya will host a Trump fundraiser in San Francisco, with ticket prices beginning at $50,000 per person.

For more on this, read: Donald Trump Is Now Selling Shoes, After A $355m Court Fine Was Imposed

The Sentencing

The sentencing will be on July 11, just days before the GOP assembles for its convention. Each felony count could see Trump behind bars for up to four years as a first-time offender, but legal experts say he is likely to get probation or community service.

Trump's legal team is gearing up for an appeal based on claims the trial was skewed and showing that the key evidence against marriage was not born out or appropriate. That could drag this legal fight well into the next election, keeping it front-and-center in the public consciousness. During the trial, which is set to wrap up by Nov. 13, Trump also has to contend with three additional criminal indictments, two of which he is appealing and one pending. The cases have the potential to be of consequence to not only Trump and his political future but also to the broader political outlook.

The fallout abroad has been mixed. European leaders have congratulated the U.S. for preserving democracy, while adversarial nations have referenced the felony to underscore what they see as the weaknesses in the American political process.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated,

"This decision reaffirms the commitment to justice and democracy that we all share."

Chinese state media and Russian state media have cast the trial itself as a sign of domestic disorder and have criticised the trial as an example of American democracy at a crossroads.

Politically, the implications of a Trump conviction will play out as the nation moves forward and will affect voter perceptions and the strategies of both the Trump and Biden campaigns. This marks an important point for us to reflect on our founding principles of justice and accountability in American democracy.

Image Source: Multiple Agencies

Inputs from Agencies

© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.