Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 felony counts related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been convicted on criminal charges.
Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
People of the State of NY v Donald J Trump - Guilty on All counts.
ABC News
May 30, 2024, 5:34 PM EDT
Trump campaign is fundraising off verdict: 'I'm a political prisoner!'
Former President Donald Trump's campaign is already fundraising off of the guilty verdicts in his hush money trial, telling his supporters he has been convicted in a "rigged" trial.
"I was just convicted in a RIGGED political Witch Hunt trial: I DID NOTHING WRONG!" a fundraising email said. "They’ve raided my home, arrested me, took my mugshot, AND NOW THEY’VE JUST CONVICTED ME!" the email continues.
The email links to a fundraising page, in which Trump told his supporters, "I'm a political prisoner!"
May 30, 2024, 5:31 PM EDT
Trump says he's 'very innocent' after guilty verdicts
After he was found guilty on all counts in his historic criminal hush money case, former President Donald Trump angrily walked out of the courtroom and said, "The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5, by the people. And they know what happened here and everybody knows what happened here."
Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives to speak to the press after he was convicted in his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, May 30, 2024.
Trump blamed the Biden administration and Judge Juan Merchan.
"This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound or hurt an opponent, a political opponent, and I think it's a just a disgrace," he said, without evidence. "And we'll keep fighting, we'll fight 'til the end and we'll win."
"This was a rigged decision right from day one, with a conflicted judge who should have never been allowed to try this case -- never. And we will fight for our Constitution," he said.
4:02
Donald Trump says trial was 'rigged' after being convicted on all counts
"This was a rigged, disgraceful trial" the former president said outside of the courtroom.
ABCNews.com
May 30, 2024, 5:28 PM EDT
Trump departs, sentencing set for July 11
Sentencing has been set for July 11.
The Republican National Convention begins July 15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
2:23
Donald Trump leaves courthouse following guilty verdict
Donald Trump leaves a Manhattan courthouse with family in toe following a jury finding him guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records.
ABCNews.com
Former President Donald Trump was released without bail.
Trump marched out of the courtroom, flinging his arms as he walked.
May 30, 2024, 5:25 PM EDT
Judge thanks jurors for 'stressful' task
Judge Merchan thanked the jurors for their service after the verdict.
"I can see how involved, engaged and invested you were in this process," he said.
"You were engaged in a very stressful and difficult task. … I want you to know I really admire your dedication, your hard work," Merchan said.
Trump sat motionless as the judge spoke to the jurors.
Merchan's last words to the jurors were, "You are excused with the gratitude of the court. Thank you."
