In a bombshell ruling, a jury of Donald Trump’s peers found him guilty of falsifying business records in New York. He is now the first president ever to be convicted of a crime.
What We Know:
- Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels near the end of the 2016 presidential campaign.
- The verdict came in the 12-person jury’s second day of deliberations.
- Sentencing has been scheduled for July 11. He could face a fine, probation or up to four years in prison, though incarceration is extremely unlikely.
- His defense team made a motion for acquittal immediately following the reading of the verdict which was denied by Judge Merchan for lack of grounds for an acquittal.
- Trump’s website has been updated to reflect the guilty verdict, reiterating his claims that he is a “political prisoner” and featuring the mugshot taken when he turned himself in to Georgia authorities in a separate case. “Never surrender” is written in bold under the photo.
- The site also features the same fundraising message that was promoted on social media following the verdict. “My end-of-month fundraising deadline is just DAYS AWAY!” the website also says.
- Though this verdict does not impede Trump from continuing his campaign for president, he will no longer be able to vote in the state of Florida as a convicted felon.
Trump is expected to appeal this verdict. America now refers to him as former president Felon Trump.