Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 charges of falsifying business records related to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, making him the first former president in US history to be convicted of a crime, Sky news and Reuters reported.
Donald Trump will be sentenced on July 11 at 10 a.m. local time, four days before the start of the Republican National Committee.
“I am a very innocent man“, Trump said after being found guilty.
“This was a rigged, disgraceful trial“, he added.
“And the real verdict will be pronounced by the people on November 5th“, he added, referring to the upcoming US elections.
“We have done nothing wrong, I am a very innocent man and that is normal. I am fighting for our country.“
BREAKING NEWS: Former President Trump has been found GUILTY in the New York criminal trial against him. The developing news unfolding: https://t.co/CqG8jWCznG pic.twitter.com/KHT8gPvGNp
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 30, 2024
Can Trump be president despite the conviction?
The U.S. Constitution requires that presidents be at least 35 years old and be American citizens who have lived in the country for 14 years.
No conviction would affect Trump's eligibility or ability to become president. Theoretically, he could be sworn in from prison or detention if he defeats President Joe Biden in the November 5 election.
Will Trump go to prison?
It is not yet known what sentence, if any, the judge will impose.
In New York, it is rare for people with no criminal record, convicted only of falsifying business documents, to be sentenced to prison. More often, penalties such as fines or probation are imposed.
The maximum sentence for Trump's felony of falsifying commercial records is 1-1/3 to 4 years in prison, but in cases involving imprisonment, defendants are typically sentenced to a year or less.
Trump could be placed under house arrest or a curfew rather than imprisoned.
As a former president, he has lifelong Secret Service protection, and the logistics of ensuring his safety behind bars could be complicated.
Trump could also be released on bail while he appeals his conviction.
How could the conviction affect the election?
The conviction could affect the election. Polls show the conviction could cost him votes in the election.
One in four Republicans say they would not vote for Trump if he were found guilty in a criminal trial, according to a Reuters/Ipsos survey of registered voters in April. In the same survey, 60% of independents said they would not vote for Trump if he were convicted of a crime.