Donald Trump Found Guilty on all 34 counts

Former American President Donald Trump has been convicted on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in his ongoing hush money case. The verdict, delivered by a Manhattan jury after 2 days of meticulous deliberations, stemmed from a $130,000 payment orchestrated to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels about an alleged extramarital affair during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. This landmark conviction marks the first time a former U.S. president has been found guilty of criminal charges.

What next for Donald Trump?

Despite facing a maximum sentence of four years in prison for each of the 34 felony counts, Trump is more likely to receive probation or community service, given his age and lack of a prior criminal record. Trump’s sentencing on July 11 falls just days before the Republican convention, however, the legal ruling does not prevent Trump from continuing his political campaign. The United States Constitution solely mandates that presidents must have attained the age of 35, be natural-born citizens of the nation, and have resided within its borders for a minimum of 14 years. Trump is widely expected to be named the Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election. 

This unprecedented conviction of a former president casts a long shadow over Donald Trump’s political future and the nation’s democratic processes. The American electorate must grapple with the ethical implications of potentially electing a convicted felon to the highest office, raising complex questions about the integrity of the electoral system and the nation’s core values.

Defiant response

In a defiant response to the jury’s guilty verdict on all 34 felony counts, the former President condemned the trial as a “disgrace” orchestrated by a “conflicted” and “corrupt” judge. Undeterred, he pinned his hopes on the “real verdict” that would come in November’s presidential election, where he seeks to recapture the White House from incumbent Joe Biden. 

While Donald Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric continues his pattern of attacking democratic institutions and sowing seeds of doubt, seemingly positioning himself as a political martyr wronged by a biased system, his ability to capitalise on this narrative and secure the Republican nomination, let alone the presidency, remains uncertain. 

Trump Media suffers

Trump’s convictions sent shockwaves through his business empire, with shares of his prized Trump Media & Technology Group plunging as much as 15% in the aftermath. Trump Media’s staggering $9 billion market capitalization is widely perceived as a testament to the unwavering loyalty of the former president’s supporters, rather than conventional business metrics. With Trump holding a commanding 65% stake in the company behind his Truth Social platform, the volatility in stock price directly impacts his personal wealth and clouds the future trajectory of his sprawling business interests in the wake of the felony conviction.

Donald Trump has been convicted by a 12-person jury, but the legal process is poised to rumble on. While Judge Juan Merchan must formally approve the jury’s decision and enter a final judgment – typically a mere formality – Trump’s defence is expected to pursue an appeal against the conviction. Such manoeuvres could prolong the case for years, with the appeals process often entailing protracted legal wrangling. Despite the monumental implications of a former US president being branded a convicted felon, the saga appears far from over as Trump’s team gears up to contest the ruling through further judicial avenues.