In an unprecedented legal outcome, Donald Trump became the first US president to be convicted of a crime. On Thursday, a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment made to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election.
After two days of deliberation, the 12-member jury delivered a unanimous guilty verdict on all 34 felony counts. Trump, watching the proceedings dispassionately, listened as the jurors confirmed the verdict.
Justice Juan Merchan has scheduled sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican Party is set to formally nominate Trump for president ahead of the November 5 election.
The crime of falsifying business documents carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison, though those convicted often receive shorter sentences, fines, or probation. Incarceration would not legally prevent Trump from campaigning or assuming office if he were to win. He will not be jailed ahead of sentencing.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing, and his attorney has indicated plans to appeal the conviction promptly.
Timeline of the Trump Hush Money Case:
2006:
Donald Trump allegedly begins an affair with porn star Stormy Daniels, shortly after marrying Melania Trump.
2007:
Daniels appears in the Hollywood movie "Knocked Up." Actor Seth Rogen later claims Daniels mentioned the affair on set.
2011:
Daniels gives an interview to InTouch magazine, disclosing the affair.
November 2016:
Michael Cohen, Trump's lawyer, allegedly pays Daniels to keep silent about her relationship with Trump as the presidential campaign heats up. She receives the payment and signs a non-disclosure agreement just days before the election.
January 12, 2018:
The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump allegedly paid Daniels $130,000 in hush money through Cohen.
February 13, 2018:
Cohen acknowledges the payment but claims it came from his own funds.
April 5, 2018:
Trump denies any knowledge of Cohen's hush money payment to Daniels.
May 3, 2018:
Rudy Giuliani, Trump's new lawyer, reveals on Fox News that Trump reimbursed Cohen for the hush money.
August 21, 2018:
Michael Cohen pleads guilty to federal charges related to the hush money payments to Daniels and others.
December 12, 2018:
Cohen is sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the scandal.
January 30, 2023:
A grand jury convenes in Manhattan to investigate Trump's hush money payment to Daniels.
March 18, 2023:
Trump announces on social media that he expects to be arrested on March 21 and calls for protests. (He is not arrested on this date.)
March 30, 2023:
Trump is indicted by a Manhattan grand jury and is expected to surrender on April 4.
April 4, 2023:
Trump pleads not guilty to a 34-count felony indictment, becoming the first U.S. president, sitting or former, to face criminal charges.
April 15, 2024:
Jury selection for Trump's hush money trial begins, marking the first time a former U.S. president has stood trial on criminal charges.
May 30, 2024:
Trump is found guilty on all 34 felony charges related to the hush money payments.
With inputs from agencies
After two days of deliberation, the 12-member jury delivered a unanimous guilty verdict on all 34 felony counts. Trump, watching the proceedings dispassionately, listened as the jurors confirmed the verdict.
Justice Juan Merchan has scheduled sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican Party is set to formally nominate Trump for president ahead of the November 5 election.
The crime of falsifying business documents carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison, though those convicted often receive shorter sentences, fines, or probation. Incarceration would not legally prevent Trump from campaigning or assuming office if he were to win. He will not be jailed ahead of sentencing.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing, and his attorney has indicated plans to appeal the conviction promptly.
Timeline of the Trump Hush Money Case:
2006:
Donald Trump allegedly begins an affair with porn star Stormy Daniels, shortly after marrying Melania Trump.
2007:
Daniels appears in the Hollywood movie "Knocked Up." Actor Seth Rogen later claims Daniels mentioned the affair on set.
2011:
Daniels gives an interview to InTouch magazine, disclosing the affair.
November 2016:
Michael Cohen, Trump's lawyer, allegedly pays Daniels to keep silent about her relationship with Trump as the presidential campaign heats up. She receives the payment and signs a non-disclosure agreement just days before the election.
January 12, 2018:
The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump allegedly paid Daniels $130,000 in hush money through Cohen.
February 13, 2018:
Cohen acknowledges the payment but claims it came from his own funds.
April 5, 2018:
Trump denies any knowledge of Cohen's hush money payment to Daniels.
May 3, 2018:
Rudy Giuliani, Trump's new lawyer, reveals on Fox News that Trump reimbursed Cohen for the hush money.
August 21, 2018:
Michael Cohen pleads guilty to federal charges related to the hush money payments to Daniels and others.
December 12, 2018:
Cohen is sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the scandal.
January 30, 2023:
A grand jury convenes in Manhattan to investigate Trump's hush money payment to Daniels.
March 18, 2023:
Trump announces on social media that he expects to be arrested on March 21 and calls for protests. (He is not arrested on this date.)
March 30, 2023:
Trump is indicted by a Manhattan grand jury and is expected to surrender on April 4.
April 4, 2023:
Trump pleads not guilty to a 34-count felony indictment, becoming the first U.S. president, sitting or former, to face criminal charges.
April 15, 2024:
Jury selection for Trump's hush money trial begins, marking the first time a former U.S. president has stood trial on criminal charges.
May 30, 2024:
Trump is found guilty on all 34 felony charges related to the hush money payments.
With inputs from agencies
First Published: May 31, 2024 12:30 PM IST
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