Trump hush money trial: Trump found guilty on all counts in historic case
Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts in his hush money trial.
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.
Top headlines:
Trump guilty on all 34 counts
Trump calls judge 'tyrant,' slams Cohen without naming him
Former President Trump, speaking from Trump Tower the morning after his historic felony conviction, slammed witness Michael Cohen while calling the judge in the case a "tyrant."
"We're going to be appealing in many different things. He wouldn't allow us to have witnesses, he wouldn't allow us to talk, he wouldn't allow us to do anything," Trump said of Judge Juan Merchan. "The judge was a tyrant."
Of Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen, who testified for the prosecution, Trump said, "This was [once] a highly qualified lawyer. I'm not allowed to use his name because of the gag order. He is a sleaze. Everybody knows that. Took me a while to found out."
Trump, who still remains to be sentenced on July 11, remains under the limited gag order that prohibits him from attacking witnesses in the case as well as jurors and attorneys other than Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg.
"This should have been a non-case. Everybody said it was a non-case," Trump said.
Trump attacks judge a day after his conviction
Donald Trump, speaking from Trump Tower, lodged a litany of complaints about his conviction yesterday on criminal charges, attacking the judge in the case, the DA who brought it, his former attorney who testified against him, and the charges themselves.
"We had a conflicted judge, highly conflicted. There's never been a more conflicted judge," he said of Judge Juan Merchan.
"You saw what happened to some of the witnesses that were on our side," Trump said. "They were literally crucified by this man who looks like an angel, but he's really a devil. He looks so nice and soft. People say, 'Oh he seems like such nice man' -- unless you saw him in action."
"It's a rigged -- it was a rigged trial," Trump said, repeating his oft-stated baseless claim.
Trump to hold press conference at Trump Tower
The morning after his historic felony conviction, former President Trump is set to address reporters at an 11 a.m. ET press conference.
Trump will speak from the atrium of Trump Tower, just feet away from the golden escalator he rode down in 2015 when he kicked off his first bid for president.
Now, nearly nine years later, Trump is expected to address to his conviction and the legal battle he faces amid his third presidential bid.
Campaign officials and some supporters are also expected to be present.
NYC mayor says city won't tolerate 'lawlessness' following verdict
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the New York Police Department will protect peaceful protest in the wake of Trump's conviction -- but not "lawlessness."
"Today, a jury of 12 New Yorkers registered their verdict," Adams' statement read. "Our criminal justice process must be respected. As we await the next steps, New Yorkers should rest assured that the NYPD stands ready to respond to any and all circumstances, including large-scale protests. While peaceful protests and assembly will always be protected, we will not be a city of any form of lawlessness."
Before break, judge slams defense for 'prison' remark
Before Judge Merchan recessed court for the lunch break, prosecutors took issue with defense attorney Todd Blanche saying "You cannot send someone to prison based upon the words of Michael Cohen."
Prosecutors called Blanche's reference to prison "ridiculous" and an effort to gain sympathy for their client.
"I think that saying that was outrageous, Mr. Blanche," Merchan told Blanche. "It is simply not allowed, period."
The judge said he would give the jury curative instructions.
"Its hard for me to imagine how that was accidental in any way," Merchan said.
The parties then left the courtroom for the break. Blanche left the courtroom smiling as another member of the legal team gave him a big pat on the back.