The day after his historic guilty verdict in New York which plunges the American presidential election into the unknown, Donald Trump castigated a trial “very unfair” from his Manhattan skyscraper.
“We will appeal this scam”launched the one who wishes to return to the White House at the end of the presidential election in November, from his Trump Tower, protesting against a decision “unfair” and a rigged trial, without providing evidence.
In a disjointed speech lasting more than 30 minutes, the billionaire also accused outgoing President Joe Biden and his ” band “to be “sick” and “fascists” responsible for his legal setbacks, after being found guilty on Thursday of all the charges against him in this criminal trial, the first of a former American president.
Trump Tower in Manhattan, May 31, 2024 / Kena Betancur / AFP
Donald Trump showed up “confused, desperate and defeated”said a Joe Biden campaign spokesperson after this speech.
“Anyone who has watched draws an obvious conclusion: this man cannot be president of the United States”Michael Tyler said in a statement.
“He first questioned our electoral system. Then he called into question our judicial system”Joe Biden had commented a few minutes earlier on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a call for donations for his campaign.
The president, who was with his family on Thursday to mark the anniversary of the death of his eldest son, had not previously reacted to the verdict of his predecessor and adversary.
Donald Trump wasted no time and immediately transformed his verdict into a campaign argument. “I am a political prisoner”he proclaims in a call for donations published in the wake of the decision.
The latter collected $34.8 million in donations in a few hours, according to his campaign, i.e. “almost double the biggest day ever recorded” on the platform.
“The real verdict will take place on November 5, by the American people”Donald Trump also assured Thursday in the corridors of the court.
Abroad, certain leaders have shown their support for Donald Trump, such as the far-right Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini who denounced a “judicial harassment” and one “political trial”.
The Kremlin, through its spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, denounced an “elimination of political adversaries” in the United States.
Traveling to Prague, the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken assured that these accusations from Moscow were only the ” reflection “ of Russia’s own behavior in this matter.
Historical
If Donald Trump’s guilty verdict is historic, it does not prevent him from competing in the presidential election, and its impact on the vote remains difficult to predict.
US President Joe Biden participates in a campaign meeting in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania, east) on May 29, 2024 / Mandel NGAN / AFP
So far, the polls show Joe Biden neck and neck with Donald Trump, or even the Democrat trailing behind in certain strategic states.
And this verdict “probably not going to move many votes”, predicts Keith Gaddie, political scientist at TCU University in Texas. But for ballots “particularly tight, it could tip things from one side to the other”.
The fact remains that Donald Trump has proven, in recent years, his resistance to the ordeals that would have destroyed the political careers of many: indicted twice before Congress and indicted in four criminal cases, including that of New York, he However, he was widely and quickly established during the primaries as the Republican candidate for the November election.
And the Stormy Daniels case, which was considered the least threatening for him, will most likely be the only one judged before the vote.
Supporters of Donald Trump near his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, May 30, 2024 / Chandan KHANNA / AFP
Deprived of a campaign on the ground to attend the hearings, Donald Trump still tried to benefit from the media by speaking several times a day outside the courtroom, flanked by his children or elected officials. Republicans came to support him.
But this judicial sequence could also benefit Joe Biden, who intends to strengthen his image as a serious leader, busy with the highest affairs of the State while his rival continues legal meetings.
The president must therefore speak on Friday afternoon on the situation in the Middle East.
And Donald Trump’s sentencing will fall on July 11, coinciding with a NATO summit in Washington, an opportunity for Joe Biden to mark the contrast with his rival.
