Donald Trump sought to move past his historic criminal conviction on Friday, attacking the judge, prosecution witness, and the criminal justice system to rally his base and build momentum for his White House bid. Speaking from Trump Tower in Manhattan, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee insisted without evidence that the verdict was “rigged” and politically motivated, declaring, “We’re going to fight.”
Despite the guilty verdict, which made Trump the first former president and major party nominee to be convicted of a crime, his speech retained a familiar tone as he downplayed the case’s facts and vowed to appeal. He cast himself as a martyr, suggesting, “If this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.” Meanwhile, President Joe Biden criticized Trump’s rhetoric, calling it “reckless” and “dangerous.”
Trump’s campaign reported raising $52.8 million in the 24 hours following the verdict, with a significant portion from first-time donors. His supporters and a smaller group of protesters gathered outside Trump Tower, reflecting the divisive nature of his candidacy. Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, noted Trump’s resilience post-verdict, stating, “He’s not happy about it, but he knows there’s a lot of fight left.”
Testing the limits of a gag order, Trump derided Michael Cohen, his former fixer and the prosecution’s star witness, as a “sleazebag” and condemned the judge for unfair treatment. He avoided testifying in his trial, suggesting that doing so would have led to a perjury charge over minor missteps, a strategy often advised against defendants.
Looking ahead, Trump faces a packed schedule, including his first debate with Biden, announcing a running mate, and formally accepting his party’s nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. However, he must first return to court on July 11 for sentencing, where he could face penalties ranging from a fine or probation to prison time.
Despite the guilty verdict, which made Trump the first former president and major party nominee to be convicted of a crime, his speech retained a familiar tone as he downplayed the case’s facts and vowed to appeal. He cast himself as a martyr, suggesting, “If this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.” Meanwhile, President Joe Biden criticized Trump’s rhetoric, calling it “reckless” and “dangerous.”
Trump’s campaign reported raising $52.8 million in the 24 hours following the verdict, with a significant portion from first-time donors. His supporters and a smaller group of protesters gathered outside Trump Tower, reflecting the divisive nature of his candidacy. Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, noted Trump’s resilience post-verdict, stating, “He’s not happy about it, but he knows there’s a lot of fight left.”
Testing the limits of a gag order, Trump derided Michael Cohen, his former fixer and the prosecution’s star witness, as a “sleazebag” and condemned the judge for unfair treatment. He avoided testifying in his trial, suggesting that doing so would have led to a perjury charge over minor missteps, a strategy often advised against defendants.
Looking ahead, Trump faces a packed schedule, including his first debate with Biden, announcing a running mate, and formally accepting his party’s nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. However, he must first return to court on July 11 for sentencing, where he could face penalties ranging from a fine or probation to prison time.
