Former President Donald Trump delivered a speech from his namesake tower in Manhattan, where he falsely claimed that his criminal conviction was “rigged” and driven by politics. He attacked the judge, the prosecution’s star witness, and the criminal justice system as a whole, aiming his message at his most loyal supporters. Despite the guilty verdict on 34 felony counts related to a hush money trial, Trump vowed to fight and save the country. The verdict marked the end of a historic trial but the battle is far from over.
Trump’s response to the verdict included blasting the trial as rigged and attacking the star witness. The sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just days before Republicans are set to pick him as the 2024 nominee. Even though he may be convicted and reside in Florida, Trump can still vote as long as he stays out of prison in New York state. The impact of his conviction on the election remains unclear, especially among voters such as suburban women, independents, and those turned off by both candidates.
President Joe Biden criticized Trump’s rhetoric about the rigged trial, calling it reckless, dangerous, and irresponsible. Trump has made his legal troubles the centerpiece of his campaign message, claiming without evidence that the indictments against him were orchestrated by Biden. Despite the guilty verdict, Trump continued to downplay the facts of the case and suggested he would appeal. His camp received an influx of campaign contributions following the verdict.
In his speech, Trump portrayed himself as a martyr and suggested that anyone could face a similar fate. He downplayed the facts of the case, asserting that the hush money payment was a nondisclosure agreement and totally legal. Despite his tense demeanor immediately after the verdict, Trump appeared more relaxed and even joked about the situation. His legal team expressed shock at the conviction but remained determined to fight it.
Trump attacked various aspects of the criminal justice system and bemoaned his inability to testify during the trial. He criticized Biden’s policies before focusing on his case and disparaging the judge, the star witness, and the trial proceedings. Trump’s authoritarian themes resurfaced as he painted the U.S. under Biden as corrupt and fascist. His family joined him at Trump Tower, where supporters and protesters gathered outside.
Following the guilty verdict, Trump’s campaign raised millions in a day, with a significant portion of donors being new contributors. Despite his legal troubles, Trump and his team remained focused on the upcoming election, preparing for debates, running mate announcements, and the Republican National Convention. Trump faces sentencing in July, where he could potentially face fines, probation, or prison time. The impact of his conviction on the election remains uncertain, with an intense focus on his campaign’s fundraising efforts and preparedness for the road ahead.
