Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. The verdict has sparked strong reactions from both his supporters and opponents, who gathered outside the courtroom to express their thoughts.
"I'm really f------ pleased, f--- that guy," one Trump supporter exclaimed with a smile outside the courtroom.
Another supporter lamented the current political landscape. "The sad thing is we're just in this situation again where there's just two candidates, one who is very old, and one who is now a convicted felon," he said. "That's just not a state of political affairs that I never want to find a country that I believe in so much."
One man carried two signs: "The evidence to convict Trump is glaring" and "Let the reckoning begin."
"I'm very pleased that there's finally some accountability for Donald Trump," said a woman outside the courthouse. "It had to be an attempted coup for them to even consider going after him."
Another critic believed the guilty verdict represented only the beginning. "This is a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt, as a rigged trial and disgrace," Trump said.
Moments after the verdict, Trump addressed reporters, calling the trial "a disgrace" and "rigged." He maintained his innocence, stating, "The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people."
Trump faces a maximum prison sentence of 136 years for the 34 counts of falsifying business records. However, it is unlikely that he will serve that much time.
The verdict is a significant milestone in the investigation into Trump's financial dealings and could have implications for his potential candidacy in the 2024 presidential election.
Trump has repeatedly denounced the trial as politically motivated and has accused the judge of being biased against him. He has vowed to appeal the verdict and has expressed confidence that he will be exonerated.
The outcome of the appeal process remains to be seen, but the guilty verdict casts a shadow over Trump's political future and could potentially bar him from holding office again.
If Trump's conviction is upheld on appeal, it could have a significant impact on the 2024 presidential election. A convicted felon would face an uphill battle in seeking the presidency, and it is uncertain whether Trump would be able to overcome such a barrier.
However, it is too early to say definitively what the verdict will mean for the 2024 race. Trump retains a loyal following, and it is possible that he could still mount a successful campaign, even if he is convicted.
Ultimately, the impact of Trump's guilty verdict on the 2024 election will depend on a number of factors, including the outcome of the appeal process and the political climate at the time.
