Trump's Campaign Rocked by Guilty Verdicts in Hush Money Trial

A New York jury has found former President Donald Trump guilty of all 34 felony charges he faced relating to fabricating business records to conceal hush money payments made to a porn star before the 2016 election.

The verdict comes ahead of the upcoming presidential election. The consequences of this conviction are significant as Trump aims to reclaim the White House from incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden in the November 5th election. While the maximum sentence for falsifying business documents is four years in imprisonment, those convicted often receive shorter sentences, fines, or probation. Notably, incarceration would not legally prevent Trump from campaigning or assuming office if elected. The judge has scheduled sentencing for July 11th, mere days before the Republican Party is set to formally nominate the 77-year-old as their presidential candidate.

Trump vehemently denies any wrongdoing and asserts his innocence, reiterating his claims that the trial is rigged against him. As his motorcade departed the courthouse, he flashed a thumbs-up through the tinted window of his SUV, surrounded by supporters, journalists, police, and onlookers. While opinion polls suggest a tight race between Trump and his 81-year-old opponent Biden, the guilty verdict could potentially diminish Trump's support among independent and Republican voters, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling

"The true verdict will be made by the people on November 5th," he declared, indicating his intention to appeal the decision as soon as possible.

This case was widely considered the least significant of the four criminal proceedings Trump faces, but the verdict now looms large as it is likely to be the only one before the election, with the others delayed by procedural challenges. The crux of the case centred around explicit testimony from porn star Stormy Daniels about an alleged sexual encounter she claims to have had with Trump in 2006 while he was married to his current wife, Melania – an allegation Trump denies. In the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, Trump faced numerous allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct.

His former lawyer Michael Cohen revealed that he had arranged a payment to Daniels and that Trump approved a scheme to repay him through regular installments framed as payment for legal services. While Trump's legal team scrutinized Cohen's credibility, drawing attention to his criminal background, imprisonment, and history of dishonesty, the relatively short deliberation time suggests the jurors believed there was sufficient evidence to support his statements, according to a retired New York judge who observed the trial. Consequently, a source familiar with the Trump campaign's inner workings indicates the verdict could prompt discussions about selecting a female running mate.

The prosecutors, led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, had the burden of proving Trump's guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt," which is the standard under US law. Bragg states, "We did our job. (There are) many voices out there. The only voice that matters is the voice of the jury, and the jury has spoken." The jurors heard testimony about sex and lies that had been public knowledge since 2018, though the charges themselves were based on ledger accounts and other records related to Cohen's reimbursement.

While Trump lacks the authority to halt a distinct voting manipulation case unfolding in Georgia, if elected, he may have the power to suppress the two federal cases against him, which allege that he tried to unjustly reverse his 2020 election defeat and mishandled sensitive government documents upon exiting the presidency in 2021. Experts anticipate that Trump's appeal will focus on the salacious testimony from Daniels about their alleged sexual encounter, as well as the novel legal theory used by the prosecutors. Nonetheless, legal experts believe Trump faces an uphill battle in overturning the conviction.