Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in his Manhattan criminal hush money trial. The verdict comes after five weeks of testimony from various witnesses, including a former tabloid publisher, a Hollywood fixer, Trump’s former lawyer, and a porn star.
Following the announcement of the verdict, Trump denounced the trial as “rigged” and a “disgrace,” insisting that the “real” verdict will be decided in November when voters pick the next President. He compared himself to Mother Teresa, claiming that even she could not have overcome such charges.
Witnesses and Testimony
The jury heard from David Pecker, former publisher of The National Enquirer, who testified about a “catch and kill” scheme devised to suppress negative stories about Trump while running damaging stories on his rivals. This scheme was discussed in a meeting at Trump Tower in August 2015 with Trump, his lawyer Michael Cohen, and Pecker.
Prosecution’s Argument
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass emphasized that the case was fundamentally about a conspiracy and a cover-up intended to influence the 2016 election. Steinglass told jurors that while the actual impact on the election couldn’t be definitively proven, it was irrelevant to the charges.
REELated:
Judge’s Instructions
Judge Juan Merchan instructed the jury to set aside any biases or personal opinions about Trump, focusing solely on the legal definitions of the crimes and the evidence presented.
Trump, facing potential penalties including four years in prison or probation, maintained his stance that the charges were politically motivated and rigged. He remained defiant, asserting that the true judgment would come from voters in the upcoming presidential election.
The guilty verdict marks a significant legal blow to Trump as he continues to vie for political influence. His conviction on multiple counts of falsifying business records adds to the legal challenges he faces. This case highlights ongoing debates about the intersection of politics, law, and media in the context of Trump’s controversial career.
Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram
