Donald Trump convicted of 34 felony counts: Will the White House race be affected?

Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts.

Jurors in New York state court on Thursday found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star ultimately to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.

The first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president wrapped up in Manhattan, marking an extraordinary moment in American history not only for a former leader, but for one who is seeking to again hold the Oval Office. Trump, the Republican Party’s presumed 2024 presidential nominee, is now a convicted felon.

The jury deliberated for more than 11 hours, beginning Wednesday just before 11:30 a.m. Eastern and delivering the verdict to Justice Juan Merchan just after 5 p.m.

Trump now faces penalties ranging from probation to up to four years in prison for each charge of falsifying business records in the first degree.

Merchan set a sentencing date for July 11 at 10 a.m. That’s just days before the Republican National Convention, where Trump is expected to be officially nominated as the party’s presidential candidate.

Trump shares his thoughts after the verdict is announced.

Trump made a brief statement to reporters outside the courtroom, condemning the trial as unfair and shameful. “The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people, and they know what happened here and everybody knows what happened here,” Trump said in remarks live-streamed and cataloged on C-SPAN.

As he has repeated almost daily for the cameras, Trump again called Merchan a “conflicted” judge and falsely claimed the case “was done by the Biden administration.”

The charges were brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whom Trump described during his post-verdict comments as “Soros-funded,” a common mantra from Trump’s party referring to Hungarian-American billionaire philanthropist George Soros.

During his roughly three-minute remarks, Trump also referred to immigration at the U.S. Southern border, a major campaign rallying cry for Republicans.

“We don’t have the same country anymore. We have a divided mess. We’re a nation in decline, serious decline. Millions and millions of people pouring into our country right now,” Trump said before exiting the hallway without answering shouted questions from reporters.

Despite being a convicted felon, Trump will still be able to vote in November in Palm Beach County, Florida, where he is registered, as long as he is not incarcerated.

The White House race be affected?

Judge Juan Mercan scheduled the sentencing for July 11, just 4 days before the Republican National Convention. Mr. Trump is expected to be nominated as the presidential candidate for the November 5 election.

Mr. Trump will remain free until sentencing and has a high chance of avoiding prison, as it is uncommon for first-time offenders with no criminal record to receive prison time for falsifying business records in the US.

A fine or suspended sentence is more likely, especially since most of the crimes Mr. Trump was convicted of are considered the least serious felony in New York City, increasing the chances of avoiding imprisonment. He will also have the opportunity to appeal the sentence.

Despite the conviction, Mr. Trump is still eligible to run for the presidency as the US Constitution only requires candidates to be a natural citizen, at least 35 years old, and have lived in the US for at least 14 years.

People’s reactions on social networks.

In addition to many words of support for the court to charge Trump with 34 serious crimes, many posts on X also agreed and criticized him with contemptuous words.

Trump shut your mouth! You talk about saving the Constitution? You’re the one who has disrespected the Constitution and you have supporters who believe we should get rid of the Constitution! Just shut your mouth, you’re convicted on all counts!

— Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) May 30, 2024

Congratulations Republicans. The 2024 frontrunner, Donald Trump, is a convicted felon AND a rapist who stole the 2016 election, extorted Ukraine, incited an insurrection, disenfranchised Georgia voters, stole classified documents, & defrauded New Yorkers.https://t.co/sU8mWApXtW pic.twitter.com/ZcXsGbHnDk

— Fly Sistah (@Fly_Sistah) May 30, 2024

Besides, many people sympathize with Trump because they believe that the NY jury convicted Donald Trump of 34 “false” felonies.

Marjorie Taylor Greene is threatening New York’s federal funding because a NY jury convicted Donald Trump of 34 "fake" felonies.

"I'm not going to give a single effing penny."

MTG is a joke and doesn't control funding for our state — never did and never will.

And to you, MTG,… pic.twitter.com/aotLLInCPZ

— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorresNY) June 3, 2024

 

MLK was a convicted felon

Ghandi was a convicted felon

Nelson Mandela was a convicted felon and at 75 became President

Even Jesus Christ was a convicted felon

Donald J Trump got added to a list of the greatest world leaders who were convicted felons

We ain’t votin’ for…

— It's 🇺🇸 Tiff 🇺🇸 (@TiffMoodNukes) June 2, 2024

With Capitoneshirt, we always express a neutral attitude and do not give an opinion on the court’s judgment, but we always support fairness, believing that justice will be established and evil will pay the price worthy.

Thanks for reading!!!