After being convicted of accounting crimes, Donald Trump accuses Joe Biden and his administration of manipulating the legal process to damage him as a political candidate and opponent.
– This was a rigged, disgraceful trial, I am a very innocent man, he declares, vowing to “continue to fight for our country and our Constitution“.
The former president was convicted on all 34 counts. Trump allegedly ordered payments to individuals who blackmailed him and threatened to release sensitive information during the 2016 presidential election.
Among other things, he allegedly paid large sums of “hush money” to adult film star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her not disclosing information about a sexual encounter the two allegedly had nearly two decades ago. The money was allegedly paid by Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen, who was later reimbursed by Trump.
Reaction to Trump verdict outside courthouse @wcbs880 @1010WINS #trump #verdict pic.twitter.com/qMuKMSH04o
— Marla Diamond (@MDiamond8) May 31, 2024
According to the court, Trump used campaign funds raised to silence Daniels – but then falsified the accounts and hid the payment so that information about it would not reach the public.
The verdict will not be known until July 11, and at worst, the presidential candidate could face several years in prison – though that is considered unlikely. The verdict is also likely to be appealed.
“Our entire country is being manipulated”
Trump himself is clear that he considers the whole thing to be a purely political trial – and that the Biden administration manipulated the legal process to damage him as a political opponent.
– This was a rigged, disgraceful trial. I’m a very innocent man … The real verdict will be made by the people on November 5th.
– Our whole country is being rigged right now. This was done by the Biden administration in order to vote to wound or hurt an opponent, a political opponent. And I think it’s just a disgrace.
Let me be FUCKING clear: I voted for Donald Trump two times, and I will be voting for Donald Trump a third time in November.
Today is a dark day for America.
pic.twitter.com/dQO3CmNm9Y— Chad Prather (@WatchChad) May 30, 2024
Trump says he will “fight to the end” and that the verdict will not stop him or his presidential campaign.
– I’m fighting for our country, I’m fighting for our constitution. And we’ll keep fighting. We’ll fight till the end and we’ll win. Because our country’s gone to hell. We don’t have the same country anymore. We have a divided mess. We’re a nation in decline, serious decline.
– Millions and millions of people are pouring into our country right now from prisons and mental hospitals, terrorists, and they are taking over our country. We have a country that is in big trouble… We are going to fight for our Constitution. This is far from over.
