After six weeks of trial tackling themes of sex, money and power, the jurors, made up of seven men and five women, had to unanimously answer a single question: was Donald Trump guilty of 34 falsifications of accounting documents to conceal a payment of $130,000 to porn actress Stormy Daniels, in order to avoid a sex scandal at the very end of her 2016 presidential campaign?
Former US President Donald Trump was found guilty on Thursday of all 34 counts brought against him during his criminal trial. This verdict comes as Trump is in the midst of campaigning for a return to the White House, hoping to regain the presidency in 2024.
As the verdict was read, Donald Trump remained stoic, shoulders lowered, in the courtroom, displaying a resigned attitude toward the jurors’ decisions.
This verdict marks a significant milestone in the political and judicial history of the United States, with a former president convicted of multiple offenses.
The charges against Trump included financial crimes and abuse of power, all of which the defendant and his lawyers have denied. However, the evidence presented during the trial convinced the jury of the former president’s guilt, despite his defense’s efforts to discredit witnesses and documents brought to the hearing.
The conviction could have major repercussions on Trump’s presidential campaign, casting a shadow over his political ambitions. Reactions to the verdict have been mixed, with supporters denouncing what they see as a political witch hunt, while opponents see it as an affirmation of the rule of law and justice.
The details of the penalties incurred by Donald Trump will be clarified at a later hearing.
