Trump Convicted: Historic First for a Former U.S. President

In a historic decision, a New York jury has found former President Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. This unprecedented conviction marks the first time a former U.S. president has been criminally convicted. The jury deliberated for 9½ hours before delivering the verdict on Thursday. Trump, who had pleaded not guilty, will be sentenced on July 11, just four days before the Republican National Convention. He faces penalties ranging from fines to four years in prison for each count.

The trial, held in a Manhattan courtroom, revolved around allegations that Trump falsified business records related to a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, motioned for acquittal, but Judge Juan Merchan denied it, thanking the jurors for their service. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized that the trial adhered strictly to the facts and the law.

Key witnesses included Michael Cohen, Hope Hicks, and David P*****, with Cohen testifying that Trump directed him to make the $130,000 payment to Daniels to secure her silence over an alleged sexual encounter in 2006. Robert Costello, the defense’s main witness, claimed Cohen had told him Trump was not involved, but Cohen countered that he lied to protect Trump and did not trust Costello. Prosecutors bolstered Cohen’s testimony with documentary evidence and additional witness accounts.

Despite the conviction, legal experts suggest Trump may remain out of jail while appealing the verdict, a process that could extend over several months. Notably, Jeff McConney testified that Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, currently in jail on a perjury charge, had informed him of Cohen’s reimbursement for the payment.

Trump was indicted in March of the previous year after a lengthy investigation by Alvin Bragg and Cyrus Vance. The conviction raises significant questions about Trump’s future, especially as he gears up to challenge President Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential election.

Following the verdict, Trump did not testify but declared his innocence, branding the trial as "rigged." He immediately started fundraising, asserting, "The real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people." Meanwhile, Michael Cohen celebrated the verdict, highlighting the importance of accountability and the rule of law. President Joe Biden's campaign remained mostly silent, and Stormy Daniels also refrained from public comment, though she liked a supportive tweet from comedian Kathy Griffin.

The Supreme Court had earlier ruled to keep Trump on the 2024 ballot despite several states' attempts to disqualify him based on the 14th Amendment. The Constitution requires presidential candidates to be natural-born citizens, at least 35 years old, and U.S. residents for at least 14 years. The 14th Amendment also forbids those who have engaged in insurrection against the U.S. from taking office. Despite the conviction, legal experts predict Trump will likely receive probation due to the nonviolent nature of his offenses, his age of 77 years, and lack of prior criminal record.

As the nation watches closely, the foreperson of the jury, whose name remains undisclosed, announced the verdict as "guilty." Trump continues to contest the case, declaring himself "a very innocent man" to news cameras in the hallway. The upcoming months will undoubtedly be pivotal in shaping the political landscape as Trump prepares for his sentencing and ongoing legal battles.

Conservative Bias:

This is an absolute travesty of justice, a blatant witch hunt orchestrated by the radical left to take down a man who dared to challenge the status quo. The corrupt Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a puppet for the Democratic Party, has weaponized the legal system against former President Donald Trump. This sham trial, filled with biased jurors and a judge who clearly had an agenda, is nothing more than a desperate attempt to tarnish Trump's reputation ahead of the 2024 election. The so-called "evidence" presented by Michael Cohen, a proven liar and convicted felon, is laughable. This is a clear case of political persecution, and the American people see right through it. Trump is right – the real verdict will come on November 5 when the people will reject this gross miscarriage of justice and re-elect him to the presidency.

Liberal Bias:

This conviction is a long-overdue reckoning for a man who has consistently flouted the law and used his power to evade accountability. The jury's decision to find Donald Trump guilty on all counts is a testament to the strength of our legal system and the importance of the rule of law. Despite the relentless obstruction and misinformation spread by Trump's defenders, the facts were clear: Trump directed illegal payments to silence a scandal, and his attempts to cover it up have finally caught up with him. This trial exposed the depths of corruption within the Trump Organization and the lengths to which Trump and his enablers, like Michael Cohen and Allen Weisselberg, went to deceive the public. The response from Trump's camp, branding the trial as "rigged," is nothing but a predictable and baseless deflection. The American people deserve leaders who respect the law, and this conviction is a crucial step toward restoring integrity in our political system.