Donald Trump Raises Record-Breaking $53 Million Post-Verdict
In the 24 hours following the guilty verdict in his criminal trial, Donald Trump's campaign raised $53 million in donations. This impressive figure, largely attributed to small donors, marks a record-breaking achievement for the former president. The campaign announced that $35 million of this amount came from online donations, reflecting overwhelming support from his base.
The verdict in New York, which found Trump guilty of all charges related to falsifying documents to conceal payments made to a former porn star, has galvanized his supporters. Campaign advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles stated that the digital fundraising system was temporarily overwhelmed due to the high volume of donations. They noted that 30% of these were made by first-time donors, highlighting a significant growth in support.
Trump's Response and Political Strategy
Following the announcement of his guilt, Trump's campaign immediately capitalized on the situation by launching a fundraising page that declared him a 'political prisoner.' This page experienced such high traffic that it was blocked for almost an hour. Trump has been using his legal troubles to rally his base, portraying himself as a martyr willing to sacrifice his freedom for their cause.
Trump criticized the trial as 'very unfair' and 'rigged,' and announced plans to appeal the verdict. He framed his legal battles as a fight against a 'deep state' and the Biden administration, aiming to energize his supporters and galvanize the MAGA movement further.
- Judge Juan Merchan has set the sentencing date for July 11, which will be a crucial moment for Trump's ongoing political strategy.
- The campaign's success on WinRed, the official donations platform of the Republican Party, highlights a significant support base ready to contribute financially, particularly in times of legal and political adversity.
- The immediate and substantial financial support following the verdict demonstrates the deep-seated loyalty of Trump's supporters, many of whom see his legal battles as part of a larger narrative of persecution.
