Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 charges related to hush money payments following an 11-hour deliberation by the jury. The mood among his closest allies, including his family members, was described as “gloomy and gloomier” in the aftermath of the verdict. Melania Trump and the couple’s son Barron joined the former president at Trump Tower in New York City after the announcement of the ruling. Everyone except Ivanka had gathered around Trump, with sources noting that Trump appeared older and tired. Trump spoke to all his children after the verdict, with people in his circle feeling upset at the outcome.
Following the verdict, Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche confirmed plans to appeal, stating that they did not expect a fair trial in Manhattan. Ivanka Trump, who had kept her distance from her father’s 2024 campaign, broke her silence with a post on her Instagram story expressing love for her father. Sources close to Ivanka indicated that the verdict might delay her entry into the campaign, with expectations that she may wait until the convention to get involved. The overall mood in Trumpworld was described as one of surprise and tizzy, with friends of Trump acknowledging the expected outcome and preparing for the appeal process.
Despite being the first former president in US history to be convicted of a crime, Trump remains eligible to run for or hold office. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 11, just one week before the Republican presidential nomination, and he will remain free until then. Trump expressed his disappointment with the verdict, claiming the trial was rigged by a corrupt judge and the Biden administration to harm him as a political opponent. He vowed to continue fighting for the country and Constitution, indicating that the real verdict would be from the people in November.
Trump’s supporters are rallying around him in the wake of the conviction, with Melania and the entire family offering their support. However, the mood at places like Mar-a-Lago was still considered a downer. The guilty verdict does not impact Trump’s ability to run for office, and it is unlikely he will serve jail time considering he is a first-time offender and the non-violent nature of the crime. The trial had been highly anticipated, with hopes for an acquittal or a hung jury dashed by the swift conviction. Despite the setback, Trump’s friends are ready for the next steps, including the appeals process.
Throughout the trial and following the verdict, sources from within Trump’s circle provided insights into the reactions and plans of his family and closest allies. Melania and Barron joining Trump in New York City, Ivanka breaking her silence, and the family rallying around the former president were key themes in the aftermath of the conviction. The appeal process, Trump’s continued fight against what he perceives as political targeting, and the implications of the guilty verdict on his political future are significant aspects of the ongoing narrative surrounding the former president. The intensity of emotions, the resolve to appeal, and the anticipation of the events leading up to the sentencing hearing add layers to the unfolding story of Trump’s legal challenges.
