Updated June 3, 2024
Former President Donald Trump is a convicted felon -- a first in U.S. history. The hush money trial found Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsification of business records in the first degree, which is a felony in the state of New York.
Felony charges explained
- Each of the 34 charges corresponds to a check, invoice, or voucher created to reimburse Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, for his hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.
- Under New York law, it must be proved that the offender falsified records with the intent to commit, aid, or conceal another crime to be considered a felony. Jurors unanimously concluded that Trump falsified business records with this intent.
- In New York, each count of falsifying business records in the first degree has a maximum sentence of four years in prison and a $5,000 fine. However, most legal experts expect Judge Merchan to give Trumpm little to no time in prison, and to rely on probation, home confinement, or a fine. Trump's sentencing date is July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention starts.
The impact
- The conviction does not stop Trump from being eligible to run for president. He is also still able to vote unless he is in prison at the time of the election.
- An April survey by Ipsos and ABC News found that 16% of voters who backed Trump said they would reconsider their support if Trump was a convicted felon. Still, high profile Republicans, like House Speaker Mike Johnson, were quick to show support for Trump. Johnson called Friday a shameful day in American history. Many Republican groups have pulled away from Trump since 2020, including co-founder of Republican Women for Progress Ariel Hill-Davis. She said:
"I do think [the verdict] will have an impact and damage him as a candidate...voters are really hesitant to get back in line with the Republican Party headed by Donald Trump. The guilty verdict is going to further shore up those concerns."
Updated May 15, 2024, 11:30 a.m. EST
- Michael Cohen, once Trump's personal lawyer, faced cross-examination in the former president's criminal trial this week. Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, attacked Cohen for being evasive on the stand, having selective memory, and profiting off of his dislike of Trump.
- Cohen claims that the $130,000 at the center of the case was paid to Stormy Daniels after Trump directly told him to do so in order to keep Daniels from speaking publicly about a 2006 affair.
Updated May 9, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EST
- Adult film star Stormy Daniels, also known as Stephanie Clifford, spent two days on the stand in the criminal trial against Donald Trump. She sparred with the former president's lawyers over her motivation for signing the $130,000 settlement and nondisclosure agreement at the core of the trial, paid to her by Michael D. Cohen.
- Lawyer Susan Necheles pressed Daniels on her role as an adult film star, director, and screenwriter, attempting to discredit Daniels' story. Necheles tried to get Daniels to display inconsistencies in her recollections and admit that her story was fabricated, which prompted claims of denial from Daniels and sustained objections from the prosecution.
- Trump continues to plead not guilty to the 34 felony charges he faces and claims the trial is "election interference" as it disrupts his 2024 presidential campaign.
Updated May 6, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EST
- The criminal trial to determine whether Trump is guilty of falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal is entering its third week. Prosecutors say Trump falsified the records to conceal his reimbursement to Michael D. Cohen for hush money given to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
- Trump's former press secretary and White House communications director Hope Hicks spoke on the deep anxiety that was felt throughout Trump's 2016 campaign after the "Access Hollywood" tape resurfaced. Hicks said her strategy with other senior Trump aides throughout the campaign was to "deny, deny, deny."
- Judge Juan M. Merchan has held two hearings thus far on whether or not Trump is in violation of the gag order, prohibiting him from attacking witnesses, jurors, court staff, and more. Merchan has already fined Trump $9,000 for nine violations and threatened him with time in jail if he continues violating the order. The judge said:
"This court will have to consider a jail sanction. At the end of the day, I have a job to do. Part of that job is to protect the dignity of the justice system."
- Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen are expected to take the stand in the next stage of the trial.
Updated Apr. 15, 2024, 9:30 a.m. EST
- Today marks the beginning of the first criminal trial of an American president, as Donald Trump faces 34 felony charges accusing him of falsifying documents to conceal an affair with pornographic film star Stormy Daniels and hush money paid to her by lawyer Michael D. Cohen.
- Jury selection for the trial starts today, which could take more than two weeks. After that, the trial could go until June.
- Trump has denied the sexual encounter and may take the witness stand during the trial to defend himself. Judge Juan M. Merchan has already imposed a gag order, restricting the former president from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, jurors, and Merchan's own family.
Updated Feb. 15, 2024, 11:45 a.m. EST
- A New York judge ruled that Donald Trump's hush money trial will begin jury selection on Mar. 25, declining to push back the trial after urgings from Trump's defense lawyers.
- This will be the first of four criminal prosecutions against Trump to go to trial. It's expected to last up to six weeks, according to Judge Juan Manuel Merchan.
- Trump's lawyers are adamantly against this trial date, citing the presidential candidate's campaign schedule. Defense lawyer Todd Blanche said:
"It is completely election interference to say 'you are going to sit in this courtroom in Manhattan,' when there is no reason. What about his rights."
- Trump said:
"How can you run for election if you're sitting in a courthouse in Manhattan all day long? I'm supposed to be in South Carolina now."
- Observers have noted that Trump has repeatedly attended court proceedings where his presence was not required.
Updated April 5, 2023
"Our country is going to hell. The world is already laughing at us - for our open borders and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan."
"The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it."
We are a nation in decline. And now these radical left lunatics want to interfere with our elections by using law enforcement. We can't let that happen."
Updated 4:00pm EST
- Trump was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree and pleaded not guilty to all counts.
- The charges are class E felonies, the lowest category carrying a maximum prison sentence of four years each. Falsifying business records under New York law is normally a misdemeanor, but prosecutors can escalate the charge if the accused falsified the records to commit or hide another crime.
- Trump did not have to post bail as new policies don't require it for most misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies.
- State Supreme Court Justice Juan M. Merchan adjourned the case until an unspecified date, likely months from now.
- Manhattan DA, Alvin L. Bragg, assures the public that his politics will not play a role in the case. He added:
"Manhattan is home to the country's most significant business market. We cannot allow New York businesses to manipulate their records to cover up criminal conduct."
Updated 2:00pm EST
- Trump turned himself in at the district attorney's office in Lower Manhattan, escorted by an 11-vehicle motorcade. He will be fingerprinted while in custody before he appears before the court to be formally arraigned.
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene gave a brief speech across from the courthouse. Before being swarmed by conservative supporters and escorted out by NYPD, Greene said:
"We are here to peacefully protest against the persecution of an innocent man. Not just any innocent man, this is the former president of the United States of America."
- Rep. Jamaal Dowman (D-NY) made an appearance after the rally, saying:
"Do your freaking job, Marjorie Taylor Greene. You don't need to be in New York City talking that nonsense. Go back to your district."
Updated April 4, 2023, 10:30am EST
- Donald Trump is expected to appear today in a Manhattan courtroom and plead not guilty to the 30+ criminal charges he faces. New York City police officers are preparing for the high-profile event, putting fences around the courthouse and Trump Tower.
- Rep. George Santos (R-NY) arrived in New York for the pro-Trump demonstration at Collect Pond Park, outside the criminal court. City law enforcement created spaces for pro and anti-Trump protesters to stand away from each other.
- Journalists started lining up for the event more than 24 hours in advance in an attempt to report on an unprecedented moment in American history.
- Trump is not expected to be handcuffed or have a mugshot taken. Mugshots are meant to help authorities identify and find a defendant if they flee, which Trump is not expected to do. In New York state, law enforcement officials have discretion over whether or not to take a mugshot.
Updated April 3, 2023
- Trump is traveling from Florida to New York today as he prepares to appear in court tomorrow. U.S. Secret Service is conducting heavy security outside the lower Manhattan court building.
- One of Trump's advisors claims the former president has raised $7 million since the news of the indictment was released. Trump rallied his supporters, claiming the Manhattan DA's investigation was a "witch hunt." He asked the judge to block cameras in the courtroom after several major media outlets requested access to broadcast the hearing.
- As protests are being planned for tomorrow, police are heavily patrolling the streets outside the Trump Tower. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is expected to headline a rally led by the New York Young Republican Club.
- New York Mayor Eric Adams spoke at a press conference this morning, encouraging all protesters to remain peaceful, including Rep. Greene. He said:
"While there may be some rabble-rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple: control yourselves. New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger."
Updated March 31, 2023
- Trump is facing over 30 criminal charges related to alleged business and document fraud. The former president is scheduled to appear in Manhattan court next Tuesday, April 4.
- His lawyers say he will not be handcuffed for his court appearance and will plead not guilty to the charges. His defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, said the team plans to "aggressively" challenge the "legal viability" of the case.
Updated March 30, 2023
- A Manhattan grand jury voted Thursday to indict Former President Donald Trump for his role in paying hush money to pornographic film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election.
- While the exact charges are not known at this time, Trump is the first former or current president to be indicted.
- The indictment is currently sealed and will be released in the coming days.
- Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is reaching out to Trump's lawyers to discuss the former president's surrender and arraignment.
- An indictment would not bar Trump from his current presidential bid, nor would it impact a possible second term in office. The Constitution makes no mention of a criminal record in its eligibility requirements for president.
- Michael Cohen, the key witness in the case, and a former lawyer for Trump, said in a statement:
“For the first time in our Country’s history, a President (current or former) of the United States has been indicted. I take no pride in issuing this statement and wish to also remind everyone of the presumption of innocence; as provided by the due process clause. However, I do take solace in validating the adage that no one is above the law; not even a former President. Today’s indictment is not the end of this chapter; but rather, just the beginning. Now that the charges have been filed, it is better for the case to let the indictment speak for itself. The two things I wish to say at this time is that accountability matters and I stand by my testimony and the evidence I have provided to DANY.”
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
Updated March 23, 2023
- NYC prosecutors said Trump created a false expectation of his indictment, leading his supporters to interfere with the investigation of his payment to Stormy Daniels. As the Manhattan district attorney's probe nears its final stages, Trump remains resistant, claiming he is "100% INNOCENT" on his social media site, Truth Social.
- The Manhattan grand jury will not meet on Trump's case when it convenes today, pushing the inquiry to next week.
- Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg accused Republicans in the House of launching "an unprecedented inquiry into a pending local prosecution." General counsel Leslie Dubeck said the GOP's prod for information "only came after Donald Trump created a false expectation that he would be arrested the next day and his lawyers reported urged [them] to intervene." Dubeck called their claims politically motivated and "unfounded."
- New York officials are still bracing for potential protests and unrest if the arrest occurs. So far this week, Trump supporters have been outnumbered by those in support of the indictment.
What’s the story?
- Former President Donald Trump expects to be arrested on Tuesday, March 21, for one of the five accusations against him currently being investigated.
- The latest indictment, led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, examines whether Trump and his company broke state laws by giving Stephanie Clifford, the adult film star Stormy Daniels, hush money after a sexual encounter in 2006. Despite continuously denying the claim, his company paid Clifford $130,000 for her silence during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
- Former prosecutor Mark Pomerantz said Trump’s company falsely hid the payments as legal fees, which violates New York criminal law. Michael Cohen, Trump’s longtime personal attorney, pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 on the arranged payments that Trump told him to make. Trump could be held responsible for the false records.
What happens next?
- While the rumor that Trump will be arrested started with him, several media outlets reported that law enforcement in New York is making security preparations for the indictment but said the event would arrive “in the coming weeks.”
- It is ultimately up to Bragg whether or not to press charges against the former president. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the rumored arrest.
- If Bragg does press charges, coordination between Trump’s lawyers, the Secret Service, and local law officials would be necessary. The former president would likely appear in New York court for an arraignment, which would be complicated by public attention.
What would happen if Trump is arrested?
- Since posting about his arrest, Trump has encouraged his supporters to protest if it comes to fruition. He wrote on Truth Social, telling his followers to protest and “take our nation back,” as well as:
“We just can’t allow this anymore. They’re killing our nation as we sit back and watch.”
- The threats are being taken very seriously as many compare Trump’s words to those that led to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in 2021. In response to the threat, Bragg wrote an email to his employees saying, "we do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York.” Bragg continued to assure his staff that their safety was his first priority.
- Many Republicans are also attempting to discourage protests. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said he does not think people should protest the arrest and believes Trump feels the same way. However, McCarthy and other GOP leaders are defending Trump. McCarthy tweeted:
Here we go again — an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against President Trump.
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) March 18, 2023
I’m directing relevant committees to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by… https://t.co/elpbh7LeWn
Do you think the Manhattan DA should press charges against Trump?
-Jamie Epstein & Josh Herman
The Latest
-
IT: Trump has been convicted of 34 felonies, and... Are you concerned about election interference this year?Welcome to Tuesday, June 4th, partners... Former President Donald Trump is a convicted felon -- a first in U.S. history. The read more...
-
The Latest: Over 1 Million Flee Rafah, and Biden’s Ceasefire PlanUpdated June 3, 2024. 1:30 p.m. Israeli forces issued another attack on Rafah , displacing over one million people from their read more... Israel
-
Trump Is A Convicted Felon: Now What?Updated June 3, 2024 Former President Donald Trump is a convicted felon -- a first in U.S. history. The hush money trial found read more... Law Enforcement
-
Election Interference & Disinformation: Concerns and SolutionsElection Interference Defining the problem Election interference occurs when one entity, typically the government of a foreign read more... Public Safety
I am looking forward for the battle between the Manhattan DA, the Georgia DA, and several different DOJ prosecutors over who gets to have the first perp-walk of the trump in chains to his different trials.
I know that the trump is kind of looking forward to a perp-walk becuase he thinks he can use it to solicit more funds out of the poor fools that support him. That ay be true, but most of the electorate, I believe, are still in favor of the rule-of-law and equal justice for ask convicted criminals.
It will be interesting to see how the trump himself reacts when his illusion of wealth and power is finally seen by everyone as the optical illusion of smoke nad mirrors tha it actually is. I imagine that once a narcissist's shield of presumed wealth and power is taken away, they will have a major emotional reality to deal with.How will the trump deal with it?
When he is found guilty, all his presidential perks MUST BE RESCINDED. He is a traitor to our country. He tried to make us a dictatorship, for God's sake! We must not allow a traitor to receive a salary, Secret Service protection, free postage or whatever benefits a true president would have. On January 6th, and afterward with the stolen documents, he relinquished any rights to be treated as a former president would be - WITHOUT A DOUBT!
And isn't it wonderful to see how the Fox News hosts TRULY FEEL about their audience? Amazing how so many can continue to show their ignorance by still watching them.
This will bring the MAGA supporters out of the woodwork.
I believe the statue of limitations has expired BTW
I am amazed how long justice takes to happen in the US whenever it is someone rich and powerful like Donald Trump getting sued or prosecuted. I mean, how much more evidence would any prosecutor or judge need finally put the guy behind bars? He literally called for his supporters to illegally protest Congress to prevent him from leaving office! Come on, lawyers! Prosecuting Trump should have been a walk in the park, man!
This is not about setting a precedent. This is about asking a man who is NO LONGER a sitting president to pay for his crimes as the rest of us would. He relinquished the title and rights of President on January 6th! Who would EVER believe that a treasonous, and at the time, sitting President would ever be allowed to run rampant committing crime after crime without any consequences. Certainly not our Founding Fathers in the Constitution they labored over and created. Does the Dump walk free just because our Founding Fathers never believed that such a thing would be possible? They would think that CRAZY; just as any educated, common sense, moral person would. Should he be found guilty, he must lose all his presidential perks. He violated our country as never before. He was instrumental in the hundreds of thousands Covid deaths, even before the deaths on January 6th. It is way beyond time for this man to be held responsible for his crimes. Enough already! He deserves no special treatment. Those who think otherwise are absolutely incorrect.
All lies just to stop Trump from running again. We need to arrest the Biden's for accepting payments from China. It's all coming out and you socialists can't stop it
What kind of a country would elect a convicted felon and a known sexual assaulter/rapist and business fraud?
I hear the GOP keep calling this trial a sign of a "banana republic", but how is it better to support a felon, fraudster and rapist instead of finding better non-convicted, non-rapist, non-fraudster candidates who can get votes from non-extreme members of your party?
In the meantime, we're not going to listen to MAGA complaints about the justice system. This exact same justice system is taking the son of a president to court today, so how is it biased? If Joe Biden really "controlled" and "weaponized" the justice system, would this be happening?
Hell, YES!!!!! and obviously, I'm not the only one, since 12 jurors found his ass quilty on all 34 charges. We can only hope that he continues to be found quilty as he faces other criminal charges. It's nice to know that at least in NY the justice system really does work. It remains to be seen if it will actually work in GA and FL.
I'm am very happy that Trump the bully is finally being held accountable for his illegal activities.
Lock mr. "I can grab anyone I want by the pussy because I'm famous" up!
convicted sex offender, must pay $80 million to his victim,
his business convicted of fraud to the two of over $400 million,
The only president in history, impeached twice,
now convicted of 34 felonies… And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
And on another note, why are the Republicans investigating Anthony Fauci when they should be investigating the 400,000 people that died from COVID-19 during Trump's presidency while he was recommending a light up them to cure it. What the hell is wrong with Republicanparty!!!
A Trump supporter an immigrate from South Africa start a business in the U.S. lacked lawful immigration status and now against unveted immigrants?
Absolutely hilarious to see Donald Trump on Fox News just about crying saying that he never said lock Hillary Clinton up when you can find it anywhere on YouTube. Fox just accepted it as the truth as usual, it's absolutely astounding how rife with a lies Donald Trump's life is as well as Fox News. Lock him up.
Donald Trump says the trial was very "hard on" Melania LOL --- what could you possibly add to that?
Please lock this pig up he has no respect for America. He has no respect for his wife. He loves Donald Trump and that's it.
LOL!!!!! Now that Donald The Felon Trump faces the very real possibility of being locked up. He claims that he "never said, "lock her up" or even insinuated that Hillary Clinton should be locked up.
Trump even as astounding as it sounds, went on to say "I never had her locked up when I was president", as if he could have!
I suppose if you played a tape of it, which is pretty easy to find in front of his lying lowlife face he would say, it was a deep fake from the deep state! The only deep fake here is Donald Trump. He's a total fake!
Post Hush Money Trial polls:
Recent poll shows 54% of registered voters approve of the recent jury verdict in the Trump Hush money trial. This aligns with primary votes in states that allow independents to vote (43%+) which occurred prior to the trial though the guilty felony conviction looks like it added ~10%.
" A Morning Consult conducted on Friday found 54% of registered voters either “strongly” or “somewhat” approve the guilty verdict, and though 49% said Trump should be sentenced to probation, over 44% who said he should be given a prison sentence (68% of respondents said he should be fined)."
"49% of Independents in the poll said they believe Trump should drop out of the presidential race, just one day after Trump was convicted in his criminal trial in New York."
"15% of likely Republican voters believe Trump should drop his campaign, while 8% of self-proclaimed Trump supporters in the survey said the same."
" 10% of Republicans in the Reuters/Ipsos poll, which surveyed over 2,500 U.S. adults, said they were less likely to vote for Trump in the wake of the conviction, while a quarter of Independent voters said the same—18% of Independents said they were more likely to vote for Trump after the conviction."
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2024/06/01/first-polls-after-trump-conviction-warning-signs-for-republican/?sh=70d3451f64e6
Trump" I"m willing to go to prison but I don't think the public would stand for it"
LOL! You don't think is right, that's your big problem, most Americans THINK you should go to prison.
You can bet if the world's biggest lier DJT found out he was going to prison he would surely wet himself. Lock him up.
A jury of his peers found him guilty, not a deep state not the Democratic Party not Biden. This is how America has always worked it's called Democracy. The inverse of this is China's and Russia's form of government! Which in very obviously the kind trump preferres.
Post Conviction
'Uncomfortable': Expert says Trump will 'fail' upcoming court mental health questions - Raw Story https://www.rawstory.com/trump-court-mental-health-questions/
No idea if a mental exam is actually part of the procedure, but the article seems legit so...
<Quote>
David Henderson, a legal analyst describedby CNBC as “a seasoned trial lawyer, civil rights attorney, and communications consultant,” appeared on MSNBC on Saturday to discuss another aspect of the legal proceedings.
...
... Henderson brought up the “questions he will find uncomfortable.”
“For example, they are allowed to assess his mental health and determine whether or not he needs counseling and whether or not he would cooperate with participating in counseling. I think he fails part of the exam. And they will also ask how he feels about the charges brought against him and whether or not he accepts the jury verdict. As you said, he doesn’t have to answer but the problem here is it’s not difficult to look at statements he’s made publicly about both and it’s impossible for Judge Merchan to ignore those and it’s impossible to ignore the fact that Judge Merchan appears to be someone who cares about fairness and it’s almost impossible not to compare Trump with Michael Cohen.”
<End Quote>
More...
D.C. ethics board recommends Rudy Giuliani be disbarred
The recommendation comes after Giuliani represented Donald Trump in a Pennsylvania court case that sought to overturn the state’s 2020 election results
Anyone / anything associated with bozo the mobster goes down in flames - be it institutions, attorneys, business, supporters and worse of all country!
hey elon welcome to the losers club ...
That is because ever day is a new day for him, a man who lives in the past!
Dow Jones's soared over verdict! Stock market believes in democracy, capitalism, freedom, democracy, rule of law and the constitution!
The law and order President, unless of course that applies to him. A pathetic and shameless example of an American and human being. Lock him up. This all speaks volumes to the disastrous state of the Republican party.
The right wing, just like Trump, are absolutely unamerican, can not handle the truth, abide by rules and regulations and judge by their peers the out come. Trump could have testified, brought in witnesses to testify and the ones he did bring helped the prosecuting attorney. He has not leg to stand on. The evidence was over whelming against him. He had his day in court!
Get that sick evil man out of here. Trump should be in jail not in the oval office.
Poor victim Donald now saying he "wanted to testify" in the trial.
Well, Donald, if you really are the "strong man" you want us to believe you are, then nothing, not even a lawyer, could have stopped you from testifying.
Who is stupid enough to believe Donald actually wanted to testify and someone held him back?
Republicans the Supreme Court is corrupt and cannon is corrupt why aren't you clowns complaining about them. You've ruin our great country.
Jim Jordan if you and republican friends aren't doing anything for the American people don't run for office. You just spent 2 years doing nothing.