Kremlin Criticizes Trump's Guilty Verdict as Political Elimination
The Kremlin has openly condemned what it describes as the 'elimination of political adversaries' in the United States, following the historic guilty verdict against former President Donald Trump. Speaking on Friday, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted that the use of all possible 'legal and illegal means' is apparent in this scenario.
On Thursday, Trump was found guilty of 34 counts linked to hidden payments made to a porn star. This marks the first instance of a former American president being criminally convicted. The verdict arrives a mere five months before the upcoming presidential election, where Trump aims to reclaim the White House.
Peskov refrained from commenting directly on the decision of the U.S. court, stating, 'We don't really like it when people say something from the outside about the decisions of our courts.' However, he noted the irony given Russia's own history of politically-motivated imprisonments and exile, referencing figures like Alexei Navalny, who died under murky circumstances in a Russian prison.
Trump’s principal attorney, Todd Blanche, has announced plans to appeal the verdict as soon as procedural steps allow. The sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just days before the Republican Party convention where Trump expects to receive the nomination against current President Joe Biden.
Following his conviction, Trump lost no time in labelling the trial as a 'witch hunt' via his campaign site, which momentarily redirected visitors to a fundraising page. His campaign cited a surge of donations from supporters, causing the site to crash temporarily.
Joe Biden's camp also took advantage of the verdict, urging supporters to donate to his re-election campaign while emphasizing that the only way to keep Trump from the Oval Office is through voter turnout.
- Donald Trump has publicly praised Vladimir Putin in the past and has consistently criticized NATO. He has also boasted about his unique ability to end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine if elected.
- Trump's comparison of his legal situation to historical figures like Nelson Mandela and Jesus Christ has drawn significant criticism, including remarks from Biden’s campaign team questioning Trump's self-centeredness.
