“This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who is corrupt,” were Trump’s first words as a convicted felon.
Making reference to the forthcoming US presidential election in November, he said: “The real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people,” adding: “I am a very innocent man.”
Trump is expected to quickly appeal the decision and will seek to return to the campaign trail as a convicted felon. He is expected to hold fundraisers next week.
A spokesperson for US president Joe Biden, who will face Trump in the election in November, said in a statement: “No one is above the law.”
“Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain,” said Michael Tyler, the Biden-Harris campaign’s communications director.
What has Trump been found guilty of?
Trump has been found to have falsified business records to hide payments over an alleged affair with the porn star Stormy Daniels, on all 34 counts he faced.
When will Trump be sentenced?
He now faces sentencing on Thursday, July 11, four days before the start of the Republican National Convention, where he will be formally adopted as the party’s candidate for president.
It is unlikely he will end up behind bars, despite the guilty verdicts. As a first-time offender for a non-violent crime, Trump is more likely to face a fine or be put on probation. Each of the 34 felony charges carries up to a $5,000 (around £4,000) fine and four-year prison sentence.
A felony is a crime punishable by more than one year in prison.
He could also be placed under home confinement or subjected to a curfew. He will also still be allowed to campaign in the upcoming election against Biden.
Under the Constitution, a convicted felon can run for public office, and even president, in the United States, although are often various morality clauses decided by each state.
However, both the United States Congress and the Senate could hold a vote of no confidence in Trump, potentially removing him from office.
Has any US president gone to jail?
No former president has ever been jailed, and Donald Trump is the first former US president ever to be criminally indicted.
Ulysses S Grant was the first president to be arrested, however. He was reportedly arrested three times, all for speeding by horse.