In a historic first for a former American president, Donald Trump was unanimously found guilty of 34 charges related to falsifying accounting documents in order to hide a payment of $130,000 to porn actress Stormy Daniels. This payment was made to avoid a sex scandal just before the 2016 presidential election. The verdict was handed down in a New York court and marks a significant moment in American political history, just five months ahead of the presidential election.
The Kremlin denounced the verdict through Dmitri Peskov, the spokesperson for the Russian presidency. Peskov claimed that the verdict was an 'elimination of political adversaries by all possible legal and illegal means,' suggesting that the decision was influenced by the Biden administration.
Donald Trump's reaction to the ruling was swift and vehement. He proclaimed his innocence, calling the trial 'rigged' and the decision 'shameful.' Trump's campaign quickly moved to leverage the verdict for fundraising purposes, sending out emails to supporters claiming a political witch hunt and rallying them for support in the upcoming presidential election.
President Joe Biden's campaign responded almost immediately, with campaign spokesman Michael Tyler stating that 'no one is above the law.' Tyler emphasized that Trump’s conviction should serve as a wake-up call for voters to get involved in Democratic campaigns and fundraising efforts to prevent another Trump term.
Reactions from both parties were intense. House Republican Leader Mike Johnson called the day 'shameful' and accused the Biden administration of weaponizing the justice system. Elise Stefanik, R-New York, deemed the justice system 'corrupt and rigged,' while Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., echoed similar sentiments through social media.
On the other hand, Democratic legislators celebrated the verdict. Representative James Clyburn, Democrat of South Carolina, stated, 'Justice has prevailed,' and Rep. Adam Schiff, Democrat of California, praised the decision, asserting that the 'rule of law prevailed.'
- Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer and the prosecution's star witness, could not contain his satisfaction upon hearing the verdict. He posted on social media, 'Guilty on all charges! #TeamCohen,' reflecting his pivotal role in the trial.
- Vivek Ramaswamy and Elise Stefanik, both seen as potential vice-presidential picks for Trump, heavily criticized the outcome. Ramaswamy called it 'counterproductive,' repeating misleading arguments about jury instructions, while Stefanik dubbed the trial a 'zombie case illegally brought by a corrupt prosecutor.'
