Trump trial: Biden calls Trump's remarks 'dangerous'

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.


Trump guilty on all 34 counts


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'The truth always matters,' Michael Cohen says

The prosecution's star witness, former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, called today's verdict "an important day for accountability and the rule of law."

"While it has been a difficult journey for me and my family, the truth always matters," he said.


'The fix was always in,' says Trump adviser

Two senior Trump advisers who ABC News spoke with were extremely angry after the verdict.

Both said they were not surprised by the jury’s decision. One said, "The fix was always in," and the other added, "Not surprised -- it’s New York."

Donald Trump Jr., reacting to his father's guilty verdict, said, "The Democrats have succeeded in their yearslong attempt to turn America into a third-world s---hole. Nov. 5 is our last chance to save it."


Biden campaign reacts to verdict

The guilty verdict shows "no one is above the law," a representative for President Joe Biden's campaign said, adding, "But today's verdict does not change the fact that the American people face a simple reality. There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box."

"Convicted felon or not, Trump will be the Republican nominee for president," Michael Tyler, communications director for the Biden-Harris campaign, said in a statement.

"A second Trump term means chaos, ripping away Americans' freedoms and fomenting political violence -- and the American people will reject it this November," Tyler said.

The White House offered a very brief comment, with a White House Counsel’s Office spokesperson saying, "We respect the rule of law, and have no additional comment."

Among the congressional response, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who traveled to Manhattan days ago to support Trump at the trial, said in a statement, "Today is a shameful day in American history. Democrats cheered as they convicted the leader of the opposing party on ridiculous charges, predicated on the testimony of a disbarred, convicted felon."

"President Trump will rightfully appeal this absurd verdict -- and he WILL WIN!" Johnson said.


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!"


Merchan re-explains legal theory of case

Judge Merchan again explained the legal theory at the center of the case.

Prosecutors allege that Trump falsified business records in order to hide a violation of New York election law.

"Under our law, a person is guilty of such a conspiracy when, with intent that conduct be performed that would promote or prevent the election of a person to public office by unlawful means, he or she agrees with one or more persons to engage in or cause the performance of such conduct," Merchan said.

Prosecutors offered three theories about the unlawful means: a tax crime, falsification of bank records, or campaign finance violations. The jury does not need to be unanimous about which theory they believe.

"Although you must conclude unanimously that the defendant conspired to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means, you need not be unanimous as to what those unlawful means were," Merchan said.

In a social media post last night, Trump falsely claimed Judge Merchan was "not requiring a unanimous decision" in the case. Merchan reiterated that the jury does indeed need to be in full agreement about their verdict that Trump falsified business records in furtherance of another crime -- but they don't have to agree on which of the three proposed unlawful means were used to corrupt the election.

Trump, at the defense table, dozed off for a few minutes as Merchan continued his reread. Trump's head was resting on his chest. He then jolted up, shaking his head.