After his conviction, Donald Trump and his supporters took to social media to decry the verdict.
“This was a disgrace – a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who is corrupt,” Trump wrote in screaming capitals on his Truth Social platform, referring to presiding Judge Juan Merchan.
“We will fight for our Constitution – this is long from over.”
Trump was convicted by a New York jury of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush-money payments made to people to squash scandalous stories during his 2016 presidential campaign,
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was among a number of Trump-supporting politicians who travelled to New York to support the former president during the trial, called it a “shameful day in American history”.
Mr Johnson claimed that “the weaponisation of our justice system has been a hallmark of the Biden administration”.
The Justice Department is currently investigating US President Joe Biden's son.
Other Republican politicians also weighed in.
“This is a dark day for America,” Senator Ted Cruz said on X.
“This entire trial has been a sham and it is nothing more than political persecution.”
He said the verdict was “legally baseless” and “should be overturned promptly on appeal”.
Senator Marco Rubio called the verdict "a complete travesty that makes a mockery of our system of justice”.
“A political show trial conducted by an openly pro-Biden judge whose daughter makes money off the case, a jury from the most liberal county in America, absurd and ridiculous charges and outrageous jury instructions that guaranteed guilty verdicts,” Mr Rubio said on X.
Donald Trump's criminal trial in New York – in pictures
-
Former US president and Republican candidate Donald Trump arrives to speak to the press after he was convicted in his criminal trial in New York. AFP -
Trump stands surrounded by his legal team as he exits the courtroom. AFP -
A television screen shows the news of the verdict in Trump's criminal trial. Reuters -
A man holds a placard outside Manhattan criminal court following the verdict. Reuters -
A demonstrator holds a placard outside the court following the verdict. Reuters -
Trump alongside his lawyer Todd Blanche ahead of jury deliberations during his criminal trial for allegedly covering up hush-money payments. AFP -
Representative Maria Elvira Salazar was one of many politicians who attended the New York trial to show support for Trump. EPA -
A court sketch of Robert Costello being cross-examined by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger before Judge Juan Merchan. Reuters -
A court sketch of Trump yawning during the trial. Media outlets reported the former president has often been seen keeping his eyes closed during proceedings. Reuters -
Michael Cohen, former lawyer and fixer for Trump, testified against the former president. Reuters -
Stormy Daniels, the adult film star who allegedly received a hush-money payment from the Trump campaign in 2016, leaves court. AFP -
A sketch shows jurors taking notes as Ms Daniels testifies on May 7. Elizabeth Williams / AP -
Judge Juan Merchan is presiding over Trump's case. AP -
Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr and the former president's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, arrive at the court. Reuters -
Trump supporters gather near the courthouse in New York. Getty Images / AFP -
Trump supporters post signs as they gather near the courthouse during the trial. Getty Images / AFP -
Members of the media wait in front of the courthouse in Manhattan. Getty Images / AFP -
Trump speaks during a rally in the South Bronx in New York during a day off from his trial. Getty Images / AFP -
Trump awaits the start of his trial earlier in the week in New York. AP
“Biden and the Trump-deranged left will stop at nothing to remain in power.”
Representative Lauren Boebert, who also travelled to New York during the trial, said the trial was “always about election interference and stopping President Trump from winning his rightful re-election”.
“The American people see through the Democrat games and know this is a sham verdict,” she said on X.
Trump's family also rallied around him, with his son Donald Trump Jr saying on X that Mr “Merchan was never an impartial Judge who cared about the rule of law”.
“He's a full-blown Democrat activist and Biden donor,” he claimed.
Another tweet by Mr Trump Jr that linked to a website asking for donations for his father's presidential campaign read: “Help us fight back against Biden's corrupt election interference plot. Stand with Trump to Make America Great Again.”
And Eric Trump tweeted that “May 30th, 2024, might be remembered as the day Donald J Trump won the 2024 presidential election”.
