Former President Donald Trump addressed the media shortly after a Manhattan jury found him guilty on all 34 counts on May 30, in a historic criminal case involving hush money payments. 

The verdict, delivered by a jury of five women and seven men, makes Trump the first former U.S. president to be convicted of felony crimes.

Standing before reporters, Trump decried the trial as “rigged” and a “disgrace,” claiming that the ordeal was orchestrated by President Biden, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and the presiding judge, Juan Merchan. “The real verdict will be Nov. 5 by the people … I’m a very innocent man,” Trump said, maintaining his innocence and vowing to appeal the decision.

Trump’s conviction stems from allegations that he falsified business records to conceal a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. The payment was intended to silence Daniels about an alleged affair with Trump. The charges, each carrying a potential four-year prison sentence, mark a significant legal setback for the former president as he seeks the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election.

Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and a key witness for the prosecution, celebrated the verdict. “Guilty on all counts! #TeamCohen,” Cohen tweeted, reflecting his pivotal role in the case. Cohen had testified that he arranged the payment to Daniels at Trump’s direction to prevent potential damage to his 2016 campaign.

Despite the legal blow, Trump’s supporters rallied behind him, echoing his claims of political persecution. Republican consultant Tricia McLaughlin suggested the verdict could galvanize Trump’s base by portraying him as a victim of a partisan attack. “He will say, ‘I won this sham trial, this witch hunt in New York,'” McLaughlin said, predicting that Trump would use the conviction to his advantage in other legal battles.

Trump announced plans for a press conference at Trump Tower, scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m. He also launched a fundraising campaign on his Truth Social platform, appealing to his followers to support his fight against what he described as a “political prisoner” status. The campaign quickly garnered attention, crashing the WinRed donation platform due to the volume of traffic.

Political analysts are divided on the impact of the verdict on Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Bill Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, noted that the case’s underlying issues might not significantly alter public opinion. “In the end, this amounts to lying about sex. I think the view probably of the majority of Americans is that everybody lies about sex,” Galston remarked, suggesting that the scandal might not sway Trump’s core supporters.

Conversely, Democratic consultant Karen Finney argued that the lurid details of the trial could alienate key voter demographics, such as suburban women. “What’s come out during the case could turn off these suburban women that Trump still has a problem with,” Finney said, although she acknowledged that an acquittal would have been seen as a major victory for Trump.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg lauded the jury’s decision, emphasizing the rule of law and the principle that no one is above it. However, the possibility of Trump serving jail time remains uncertain, as his legal team plans to appeal the verdict, citing biases from the judge and pre-trial publicity.

Trump’s legal woes extend beyond the Manhattan case. He faces multiple other legal challenges, including federal charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election and the mishandling of classified documents. Despite these hurdles, Trump continues to pursue his political ambitions, undeterred by the mounting legal pressures.

The sentencing for Trump is set for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention, where he is expected to be formally nominated as the party’s 2024 presidential candidate. The outcome of this case, along with the other legal battles Trump faces, will undoubtedly shape the political landscape as the next presidential election approaches.