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Donald Trump has become the first U.S. president convicted of a crime, found guilty on 34 felony counts for falsifying documents to hide a payment to a porn star before the 2016 election. The verdict impacts the upcoming presidential race, as Trump plans to appeal and continue his campaign.
In an unprecedented development, former President Donald J. Trump was found guilty on Thursday, making history as the first U.S. president to be convicted of a crime. A New York jury, after two days of deliberation, found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts related to falsifying documents to conceal a payment to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election.
The 12-member jury's unanimous verdict was delivered in a tense courtroom, with Trump remaining dispassionate as each juror confirmed the decision.
Justice Juan Merchan scheduled sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican Party is set to nominate its candidate for the November 5 election. Despite the gravity of the charges, the crime of falsifying business documents typically carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison, though penalties often include shorter sentences, fines, or probation.
Trump will remain free until sentencing.
This conviction thrusts the United States into uncharted political waters as Trump aims to reclaim the presidency from Democratic incumbent Joe Biden.
The 77-year-old former president has consistently denied any wrongdoing. His legal team has announced plans to appeal the decision promptly.
Following the verdict, Trump expressed his outrage to reporters, labeling the trial as a "disgrace" and asserting his innocence. "The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people," Trump declared, signaling his determination to continue his campaign.
As his motorcade departed the courthouse, Trump gave a thumbs-up to supporters gathered outside. Opinion polls indicate a closely contested race between Trump and Biden, with some suggesting that the guilty verdict could impact Trump's support among independent and Republican voters.
The outcome of this historic trial not only has immediate implications for Trump's political future but also sets a significant precedent for presidential accountability in the United States.
As the nation navigates this new territory, the repercussions of Trump's conviction will likely resonate throughout the upcoming election and beyond.
