First reaction after the verdict – “It’s a shame”

New York. In his first reaction after his conviction in the trial for concealing hush money payments to a porn actress, Donald Trump called it a “disgrace” on Thursday. “It’s a shame, it was a rigged process.” The judge was “corrupt” and the actual verdict will be delivered on November 5, the former American president said in view of the American elections.

“We will fight for our Constitution, this is far from over,” Trump continued as he left the courthouse. “We have done nothing wrong, I am an innocent man.” Trump again repeated the lie that the trial was designed by the Biden administration to harm him as a political opponent.

US President Joe Biden, meanwhile, used Trump’s condemnation to make an election call and advertise for himself. “There is only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: through the ballot box,” the Democrat wrote on his private X account on Thursday. “Donate to our campaign today.”

The jury found Trump guilty on all 34 counts. It is the first time in American history that a former president has been convicted of a crime. Judge Juan Merchan is expected to determine the sentence at a later date. Trump risks a prison sentence of several years, which may also be conditional, or a fine. The Republican can appeal – and even if he is convicted, he can run in the presidential elections in November.

RND/seb