In a recent development, former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts, a verdict that has sparked a wave of reactions from conservative commentators.
The verdict was delivered on Thursday, following a brief deliberation, with sentencing slated for July 11.
Prominent conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump despite his private admission of disliking him, offered his perspective on the verdict on X, where his talk show now airs following his departure from Fox News.
"Import the Third World, become the Third World. Thats what we just saw. This wont stop Trump. Hell win the election if hes not killed first," Carlson stated. He further added, "But it does mark the end of the fairest justice system in the world. Anyone who defends this verdict is a danger to you and your family."
Carlson's sentiments were echoed by other right-wing commentators who expressed their dismay and despair over the verdict on social media. Matt Walsh, another conservative commentator, wrote, "A former president and current presidential candidate was just convicted of 34 felony charges by a jury of his political opponents during an election year based on a novel legal theory where the underlying alleged crime was never clearly explained and without requiring the jury to even reach a unanimous conclusion about it." He further described the trial as a "show trial."
Charlie Kirk, Director of Turning Point USA, urged conservatives to rally behind Trump, stating, "We must win. We must defeat these savages. Stand with Trump. Take back America. Get to work." Ben Shapiro, another conservative commentator, described the verdict as an "absolute travesty" and a "massive Constitutional mess."
The charges against Trump stemmed from allegations that he conspired to aid his 2016 election campaign by paying adult film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 to remain silent about their alleged sexual encounters. The Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, presented evidence and witness testimonies that they claimed were sufficient to convict Trump on 34 felony counts of 'falsifying business records.'
Trump's defense team attempted to distance him from the payments made to Daniels by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen. They argued that hush money payments are not illegal and that Trump's primary motivation was to protect his family from the humiliation that would result from Daniels' allegations.
This case marks the first time a former U.S. President has faced a criminal trial. With Trump being the presumptive Republican presidential candidate for the upcoming election, the verdict could significantly impact the 2024 White House race and mark a pivotal moment in U.S. history.
The charges against Trump each carry a maximum potential sentence of up to four years in prison. Prosecutors argued that Trump sought to 'corrupt' the 2016 election by concealing a $130,000 hush money payment made by his 'fixer' Michael Cohen to Daniels. Daniels alleged that she and Trump had a sexual encounter a decade earlier, a claim that Trump has denied.
The case revealed the 'catch and kill' practices of the National Enquirer tabloid, which purchased potentially damaging stories about Trump and suppressed them. However, the actual criminal charges revolve around the reimbursements Trump signed for Cohen for the payment, which were recorded as legal expenses. Prosecutors argue that this was a fraudulent label designed to conceal the purpose of the hush money transaction and illicitly interfere in the 2016 election.
In their closing arguments, prosecutors accused Trump of attempting to deceive voters in the 2016 election by suppressing embarrassing stories that could jeopardize his campaign. "The name of the game was concealment, and all roads lead inescapably to the man who benefited the most: the defendant, former President Donald Trump," prosecutor Joshua Steinglass told jurors.
However, Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche argued that Daniels could not be trusted and labeled the star prosecution witness, Cohen, as the 'greatest liar of all time,' or 'the GLOAT.' He stated, "President Trump is innocent. He did not commit any crimes, and the district attorney has not met their burden of proof, period."
Trump did not testify in his own defense during the trial. Towards the end of the trial, he took to social media to express his outrage, labeling the proceedings a 'Kangaroo Court!' and adding, 'In God We Trust!'
The case against Trump unfolded against the backdrop of the disclosure of a 2005 'Access Hollywood' recording in which Trump could be heard making lewd comments about women. Prosecutors argued that had the Daniels story emerged in the aftermath of the 'Access Hollywood' scandal, it would have further damaged his campaign.
As the nation awaits the sentencing of the former President, the verdict has already sent shockwaves through the political landscape, potentially altering the course of the upcoming 2024 White House race.
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