Trump Denounces Conviction, Calls Hush Money Trial Unfair

Trump Denounces Conviction, Calls Hush Money Trial Unfair. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid – RC2R18AOALUA

Dil Bar Irshad | May 31, 2024 | 10:45 PM IST | Breaking News, United States of America | Follow on Google News

Trump Denounces Conviction, Calls Hush Money Trial Unfair

Trump Denounces Conviction, Calls Hush Money Trial Unfair

Key Highlights:

• Trump calls hush money trial “unfair” and vows to appeal conviction.
• Judge Juan Merchan criticized by Trump as “conflicted.”
• Trump becomes first US president convicted of a felony.

A day after being convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, former US President Donald Trump criticized the trial as “very unfair” and accused Judge Juan Merchan of being “conflicted,” according to CNN. Speaking from Trump Tower in Manhattan, Trump announced that his legal team would appeal the conviction, labeling the trial a “hoax.”

In his remarks, Trump claimed, “We weren’t allowed to use our election expert under any circumstances. You saw what happened to some of the witnesses that were on our side; they were literally crucified by this man.” He also criticized Judge Merchan, saying, “He looks like an angel, but he’s really a devil… You saw that with a certain witness that went through hell,” as reported by CNN. Trump asserted that the public recognizes the trial as a “hoax” and vowed to appeal what he called a “scam,” reported ABC News.

Trump mentioned being under a “gag order,” resulting in financial penalties and threats of jail. He stated, “There’s never been a more conflicted judge. Now, I’m under a gag order, which nobody has ever been under — no presidential candidate has ever been under a gag order before.” He further alleged that “bad people” were behind his conviction and reiterated his belief that Judge Merchan was “highly conflicted.”

Disputing the charges, Trump argued that the payment to lawyer Michael Cohen was a legal expense, recorded correctly in his books. He criticized Cohen, referring to him as a “sleazebag” without mentioning his name due to the gag order.

A Manhattan jury convicted Trump on 34 felony counts related to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors accused Trump of an illegal conspiracy to undermine the 2016 election by suppressing negative information. Despite the verdict, Trump maintained his innocence and criticized the Manhattan District Attorney and the Biden administration for influencing the case.

Trump’s legal team plans to challenge the verdict, though Judge Merchan has denied a motion for acquittal and scheduled sentencing for July 11. The trial highlighted contrasting narratives from the defense and prosecution regarding payments to Daniels and reimbursements to Cohen, whose credibility was a key issue.

(Inputs from ABC)

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.