Former US president Donald Trump found guilty on all 34 felony counts in hush-money trial
In a historic verdict that has implications for the coming US election, a New York jury has found Donald Trump guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a hush-money payment to a porn star, making him the first former US president to be convicted of a crime.
Here’s a summary of events:
- A New York jury has found Donald Trump guilty in a hush-money case, making him the first former US president to be convicted of a crime.
- Trump has been convicted on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in relation to a hush-money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
- The judge overseeing the case, Juan Merchan, is expected to announce his sentencing decision on July 11.
- Trump faces a maximum sentence of four years for each felony but experts say it is unlikely he will get jail time. H e could receive probation or community service.
That’s a wrap
So ends our live coverage of the Trump saga. What an eventful day.
One that saw Donald Trump become the first former US president to be convicted of felony crimes - and all because of hush-money payments to a porn star who claims the pair had sex.
Wong leaves door ajar for Trump
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has left open the option of meeting Donald Trump if she visits the United States ahead of the November election.
“I will always seek to engage with both sides of politics appropriately and if I go to the United States, that would be something I take advice on,” Senator Wong said.
“Our relationship goes beyond partisan politics and it always has.”
Senator Wong said she did not wish to comment directly on the guilty verdict for Trump.
“You wouldn’t expect the foreign minister of Australia to engage in commentary about legal processes on another country including our most important strategic partner and ally and I won’t,” she said.
“The United States of America is our most important strategic partner. We have a relationship that goes back decades and an alliance which is enduring.
“We have a friendship and we have very strong relationship across people and institutions and that will continue.”
Stormy ‘relieved’ at verdict
Stormy Daniels “is relieved that this case is now over”, her lawyer Clark Brewster said.
Daniels, the porn star whose $130,000 hush-money deal was at the center of the charges against Donald Trump, testified at his trial.
“She always had great faith in our justice system and in the solemn oath jurors take in undertaking their service,” Mr Brewster said.
“No man is above the law and the selfless hardworking service of each of these jurors should be respected and appreciated.”
There’s been a lot happen - here’s a summary
- A New York jury has found Donald Trump guilty in a hush-money case, making him the first former US president to be convicted of a crime.
- Trump has been convicted on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in relation to a hush-money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
- The judge overseeing the case, Juan Merchan, is expected to announce his sentencing decision on July 11.
- Trump faces a maximum sentence of four years for each felony but experts say it is unlikely he will get jail time. H e could receive probation or community service.
Trump to hold news conference tomorrow
Donald Trump says he will deliver more in-depth remarks on the verdict tomorrow in a news conference at Trump Tower in New York.
He also posted a campaign video on his Truth Social page, saying: “This is the final battle.”
The next moves in the Trump furore
Politically, the unprecedented criminal conviction of a former US president — and resumptive major-party presidential nominee — plunges the nation into uncharted waters, as the Republican continues his campaign against President Joe Biden.
But legally, Trump’s next moves are easier to predict. Here’s what could happen next:
After delivering its verdict, the jury is dismissed. The case then moves to the sentencing phase, a process largely controlled by Judge Juan Merchan.
The parties are expected to submit sentencing memos — in which each side presents arguments in favour of its preferred punishment — and other court filings.
Read the full story HERE
Bragg-ing about the prosecution team
Manhattan District-Attorney Alvin Bragg said the prosecution team was “phenomenal”, saying they embodied “the finest traditions of this office: Professionalism, integrity, dedication and service”.
“They are model public servants and I am proud and humbled to serve side by side with them,” Mr Bragg said.
Albo not worried about guilty verdict
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed concerns about Australia’s relationship with the US in the wake of the stunning guilty verdict for Donald Trump.
“There will be a lot of public focus on this verdict, of course this is a decision of a US court, we don’t comment, we are not participants of court processes of other countries,” he told ABC Radio in Sydney.
“I’m certainly not worried about our relationship with the United States.”
Mr Albanese is expected to front media in Sydney soon.
Sarah Blake
‘Donald in good spirits and ready to fight’
A source clode to the Trump camp says the former US president is in “good spirits and ready to fight”.
The source said Trump planned to stay in New York overnight after being found guilty.
Biden’s text warning to supporters
President Joe Biden’s campaign has sednt a text to supporters warning that Trump is likely “setting fundraising records” following the guilty verdict.
“That’s money (Trump) will use to try to get back into the White House to carry out his threats of revenge and retribution against his political opponents,” the text read.
The text repeats the assertion that the only way to defeat the former president will be at the ballot box.
