Trump Convicted in Stormy Daniels Case
The jury found him guilty on all charges, the judge will pass the sentence on July 11
Guilty 34 times. Former US President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 charges. The jury unanimously made such a decision about the Republican presidential nominee. Now Judge Juan M. Merchan should pass a sentence that could range from a simple fine to four years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for July 11, 2024. Trump has been found guilty by a jury of forging corporate documents related to a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about their affair before the 2016 presidential election.
Trump is the first former US president ever to be convicted in a criminal case. His attorney Todd Blanche told CNN: “We will file an appeal as soon as possible. We were prepared for a guilty verdict. However, they should have found him not guilty. These documents do not prove his guilt.” He is also the first presidential candidate to run with the confidence that he will not be prevented from running in a presidential election, in which he will once again counter Joe Biden. In theory, Trump could be elected president in November and serve a prison sentence at the same time. Even if he is not jailed, the mere fact that such a possibility exists is highly questionable throughout the US political system. Politically, on the one hand, his supporters may rally around him, but on the other hand, he may lose votes from independents and moderates. This could be crucial in the electoral contest.
Trump will make a public speech today, but hot off the courtroom, he told reporters: “It was a farce, it’s a disgrace. I’m innocent.” He added that he would continue the fight with even greater determination and that “the real verdict will come on November 5.” The presidential election is scheduled for that day.
For its part, Biden’s campaign staff explained that “the verdict against Donald Trump proves that no one is above the law.” The president himself wrote in his online X account: “There’s only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: come election time.”