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President Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Friday to share his opinion with followers in the wake of the jury verdict in his New York criminal hush money trial.
On Thursday, the Manhattan jury found Trump guilty on all counts. The unprecedented legal action against a former U.S. president was brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and included 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
Trump spoke after the verdict was read and characterized the trial as rigged. However, he stated his intention to stay focused on what is really at stake which is winning the election in November.
Trump continued to protest the verdict on Friday, describing his involvement in the alleged misconduct in a Truth Social post.
Trump stated his bookkeeper classified payments to Cohen as a legal expense and was right to do so. “I was not involved in that designation, but what else would you have called it? It was, in fact, a LEGAL EXPENSE,” he said.
Trump continued by emphasizing the stakes of the trial go beyond his personal conviction, writing “IF THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ME, IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE!”
Judging by the public reaction to the trial, Trump supporters share his sentiments. Following the verdict, Trump appeared to experience a major boost, as crowds gathered to demonstrate their support.
The case has broad implications for Trump’s political future and for the presidential election. Those who were outraged at the verdict also expressed their support financially. On Thursday, the Trump campaign received a record-breaking amount of fundraising.
The sentencing hearing in the case is set July 11. Trump and his legal team have stated they plan to appeal the verdict.