Former president calls the trial ‘a disgrace’
Dan McCaleb and Greg Bishop
The Center Square
A defiant former President Donald Trump said voters will decide his guilt or innocence in the November presidential election following his conviction Thursday on all counts by a New York City jury.
The jury found Trump guilty on 34 felony charges related to hush money paid to a former porn actress.
“This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge that was corrupt,” Trump said. “They wouldn’t give us a venue change. We were at 5% or 6% [support] in this district, in this area.” He said the real verdict will be Nov. 5, the date of the election.
“Everyone knows what happened here. We didn’t do a thing wrong,” Trump said. “I’m a very innocent man. It’s OK. I’m fighting for our country. I’m fighting for our Constitution.”
Trump said the case was brought by his political rival, President Joe Biden.
“We didn’t do a thing wrong. I’m a very innocent man,” Trump said. “Our whole country is being rigged right now. This was done by the Biden administration. I think it is just a disgrace. Our country has gone to hell. We are a nation in serious decline. This is a rigged decision right from day one.”
Trump and Biden are likely to square off again in November in a rematch of 2020.
Judge Juan Merchan set Trump’s sentencing for 10 a.m. July 11, days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, which is scheduled for July 15-18, when Trump is likely to be selected as the party’s nominee for president.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to money paid to keep an adult actress from talking about an alleged affair with Trump ahead of the 2016 election. Bragg has alleged Trump broke New York law when he falsified business records with the intent to commit or conceal another crime.
Prosecutors allege Trump falsified internal records kept by his company, hiding the true nature of payments that involve adult actress Stormy Daniels ($130,000), former Playboy model Karen McDougal ($150,000), and Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen ($420,000). Prosecutors allege the money was logged as legal expenses, not reimbursements.
Dan McCaleb is the executive editor of The Center Square. He welcomes your comments. Contact Dan at dmccaleb@thecentersquare.com.
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Trump 2024
Truly disappointed in our government of today. From the top down, Feds, local politicians, even a slight distrust for local law enforcement. Certainly elected attorneys. I did not want to be cynical. But anyone with a brain can see where this is headed for our country. This isn’t just about Trump. This is about if you have a different opinion than those in power you are the enemy. Prosecute those with different opinions. Force them into submission. Obitience is required. You can see it coming. Judge Dredd type of society. Taco Bell for everyone……if you are the elite.
Thank you John ! I agree with you 100%, and that is exactly WHY we MUST get Pres Trump back in the Drivers Seat. Showing up this past few years?Liberals have totally lost their minds!
Sorry kids but the last great republican president was Eisenhower. “In all those things which deal with people, be liberal, be human. In all those things which deal with people’s money, or their economy, or their form of government, be conservative.” The republican party is gone. The rot started with the tea party
I think the current poll asking if President Trump’s conviction will change your vote can be looked at in two ways. I voted no because I will vote for him regardless. But I also think that there are a number of people who see thru the partisan Lawfare that is being used against him. And because of that, there are voters that are disgusted with what the democratic party is doing and have switched to voting for him. People not wanting to see our country turned into a Banana Republic. I read how many democrats now donate to, and support President Trump. So that is my reasoning for the poll not being completely accurate.