‘Our country has gone to hell’: Trump vows to ‘keep fighting’ after guilty verdict

Donald Trump has vowed to “keep fighting” after he was found guilty of all counts in his New York hush money trial on Thursday night.

Trump looked furious after he left the Manhattan courtroom where he became the first former president to be convicted of a crime, telling reporters outside that he was a “very innocent man” and that America has “gone to hell”.

Trump, 77, was convicted by a New York jury on all 34 charges of falsifying business records, after weeks of testimony in a trial that veered from the implausible to the obscene.

The Republican nominee now faces possible jail time over his convictions for covering up payments to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, to buy her silence over an alleged affair.

Repeatedly lashing out at Juan Merchan, who presided over the case as a “conflicted” judge, Trump claimed: “This was a rigged disgraceful trial.”

“The real verdict is going to be Nov 5 by the people,” he said, referring to the date of the presidential election, adding: “We didn’t do anything wrong. I’m a very innocent man.”

He told reporters that the case was “long from over” and vowed to “fight for our Constitution”.

Most severe punishment would be jail time

Trump will be sentenced on July 11, four days before this year’s Republican national convention, where he is expected to be formally nominated as the party’s presidential candidate.

A criminal conviction will not disqualify the former president from running for office or taking up the position if elected.

The most severe punishment he can receive would be four years in prison for each count, which would likely run concurrently, although experts believe a non-custodial sentence is more likely.

More lenient punishments include probation, which would require him to clear any out-of-state travel with a probation officer, or home confinement.

Immediately following the verdict, there were chaotic scenes outside the courthouse as Trump supporters and anti-Trump demonstrators clashed on the street.

Eric Adams, the New York mayor, said that city police officers would be ready to “respond to any and all circumstances, including large-scale protests”.

Alvin Bragg, the New York District Attorney who brought the prosecution, said jurors had been presented with “overwhelming evidence” to convict Trump, adding: “Mr Trump went to illegal lengths to lie repeatedly in order to protect himself and his campaign.”

They deliberated for almost ten hours before handing down a unanimous verdict on all 34 counts.

But polls show Trump’s conviction is unlikely to have a major impact on the result of the electionl, with one survey of swing states conducted on behalf of The Telegraph finding that his support would increase if he was found guilty.

‘No one is above the law,’ says Biden campaign

Trump has accused Joe Biden, the US president and his opponent in November’s election, of orchestrating his conviction.

He said: “This was done by the Biden administration in order to vote to wound or hurt an opponent, a political opponent.

“And I think it’s just a disgrace. And we’ll keep fighting. We’ll fight till the end and we’ll win.”

Mr Biden’s campaign responded immediately after the verdict, arguing that it showed that “no one is above the law” and accused Trump of an “unhinged campaign of revenge and retribution”.

“There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box,” a campaign spokesman said. “Convicted felon or not, Trump will be the Republican nominee for president.”

Both Trump and Mr Biden both then launched a fundraising push after the verdict, with Trump’s request for donations reading: “I am a political prisoner!”

Wider response

Some of Mr Trump’s supporters in the Republican Party rallied to support the former president.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, the congresswoman for Georgia who has been one of Mr Trump’s fiercest defenders on Capitol Hill, tweeted an image of an upside down US flag, which is frequently used by Right-wing Americans to signify political dissent.

Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has declared that Donald Trump’s conviction marks a “shameful day in American history”.

Mr Johnson, who has allied himself closely with the former president, claimed Trump had been found guilty on “the testimony of a disbarred, convicted felon” - referring to Michael Cohen.

He added: “President Trump will rightfully appeal this absurd verdict—and he WILL WIN!”

Meanwhile Mike Lee, the Utah senator, said: “Congratulations, progressives, you’ve just guaranteed Trump’s election.”

Some of Trump’s detractors in the Republican Party were also highly critical of the trial outcome.

John Cornyn, the Texas senator who distanced himself from the former president after the Capitol attack, said “this verdict is a disgrace, and this trial should have never happened”.

Major Republican donors backed Mr Trump on Thursday, including Casino billionaire Miriam Adelson and hotelier Robert Bigelow who vowed to send more money to the former president.

Mr Bigelow, who has already given over $9 million to an outside group supporting Mr Trump, said the criminal proceedings were a “disgrace” and promised to send a further $5 million.

Elon Musk, the billionaire, tweeted that the verdict was “troubling”. Mr Musk was on Wednesday linked with a possible role in a future Trump administration.

Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group, the owner of social networking site Truth Social, slumped nearly 9 per cent in after-hours trading on Thursday.

Hillary Clinton posted an image on Instagram of a mug that features a cartoon of her drinking with the words “turns out she was right about everything”.

While Chris Murphy, a Democrat senator for Connecticut, said: “Trump toadies are going to attack the jury and the court because they have a plan to dismantle our democracy and it relies on everyone believing the justice system is rigged.”

“It isn’t. Donald Trump committed a crime. He got caught. He got convicted. That’s the rule of law.”

A spokesman for the White House counsel’s office said: “We respect the rule of law, and have no additional comment”.

Hush money case breakdown

The charges facing Trump centred on a $130,000 (£102,000) “hush money” payment that his former “fixer” Michael Cohen made to Ms Daniels days before the presidential election in 2016.

Cohen said he made the payment at the behest of his former boss to silence Ms Daniels about an alleged tryst with the former president, amid concerns it would be damaging to his campaign.

Trump was accused of lying on his business records to disguise payments to Cohen to reimburse him, which were written down as fees for legal services rendered.

To convict Trump on each charge, the jury had to find that the former president had created a fraudulent entry in his company’s records, or caused someone else to do so, and that he did so with the intent of committing or concealing another crime.

The 12-strong jury found that Trump had violated New York election law, unanimously agreeing that something unlawful had occurred to help Trump’s election campaign.

Ms Daniels herself testified at the trial, recounting lurid details of the alleged affair, including that he had invited her to a hotel room and that she had smacked his bottom with a magazine bearing his face on the cover.

She claimed that her previous statement denying the affair was false, and had been made on the request of Trump’s inner circle.

The prosecution alleged Trump, Cohen and former tabloid boss David Pecker conspired to “corrupt” the 2016 election through a “catch and kill” scheme to bury negative stories about Trump and promote negative ones about his opponents.

Jurors were told of three hush money payments. The first was a $30,000 pay-off made by American Media Inc (AMI) to former Trump Tower doorman Dino Sajudin for a false story about Trump having an illegitimate child with a maid.

That followed a $150,000 payment to former Playboy playmate Karen McDougal, who alleged she had had a years-long affair with Trump. That fee was also paid for by AMI.

Finally, there was the critical payment Cohen made to Ms Daniels weeks before the 2016 election to “silence” her about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump in Lake Tahoe in 2006.

Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office argued the scheme could have led to Trump’s 2016 victory over Hillary Clinton.

Cohen testified that Trump had approved the payoff after the fallout from the infamous Access Hollywood tape leak in which Trump boasted he could “grab” women “by the p----”.

He claimed Trump agreed to a scheme to reimburse him through monthly instalments disguised as legal fees, and the pair had discussed the plan during a meeting at the Oval Office in 2017.

The prosecution provided reams of evidence to bolster Cohen’s claims of criminal activity, including phone logs, text messages and secret recordings of Trump appearing to discuss a payoff to Ms McDougal.

But the substance of their damning arguments relied on the testimony of a convicted perjurer, and two scribbled Trump Organisation documents appearing to map out the repayment plan.

Throughout the trial, Trump’s lawyers attempted to tear into Cohen’s credibility.

“He is literally the greatest liar of all time,” said defence lawyer Todd Blanche during his closing argument.

Ultimately, the jury decided otherwise, and Trump must now await his fate at sentencing on July 11.

• Follow today’s Trump coverage in our live blog

03:38 AM BST

That’s all for today

Thanks for following our live blog on Donald Trump’s hush money trial.

The former president was found guilty by a New York jury on all 34 charges of falsifying business records, following weeks of testimony.

Mr Trump, who is staring down the barrel of potential jail time, will be sentenced by Judge Juan Merchan on July 11.

He is due to give a press conference on Friday morning at 11am ET (4pm GMT) at Trump Tower.

03:05 AM BST

Smug mug: Hillary Clinton releases new merchandise

Hillary Clinton posted an image on Instagram of a mug that features a cartoon of her sipping and the words “turns out she was right about everything”.

She shared the post after Mr Trump’s guilty verdict. The former Democratic nominee said the mug just “happened to be finalised today”.

02:47 AM BST

Poll: Will verdict benefit Trump or Biden in election?

02:29 AM BST

Trump may regret attacking judge before sentencing

Former federal prosecutor Mitchell Epner said Mr Trump may regret attacking Judge Juan Merchan in the weeks before he is sentenced.

“One thing that I can tell you based on 30 years of doing this, is if Justice Merchan decides that Donald Trump should go to prison, it is very, very, very difficult for Donald Trump to avoid going to prison,” he told The Telegraph.

Mr Epner, who is a partner at law firm Kudman Trachten Aloe Posner, added: “Donald Trump may come to regret his decision to attack the man with the discretion to decide whether or not he goes to prison in the most personal and vituperative fashion possible and attack his daughter in the same way.”

02:21 AM BST

Trump guilty verdict fires up Republican donors

Major Republican donors have rallied behind Mr Trump, pledging millions of dollars to support him in his run for president.

Robert Bigelow, who has already donated over $9 million to an outside group supporting the former president, called the criminal proceedings against Mr Trump a “disgrace”.

“I’m sending President Trump another $5 million as I promised him,” Mr Bigelow told Reuters.

Following Mr Trump’s conviction, Don Tapia, a former Trump ambassador to Jamaica, said he and a small network of family and friends with whom he donates, aimed to give over $1 million to the pro-Trump spending group MAGA Inc in coming weeks.

“We’re going to go all-in for him,” he said.

A Silicon Valley tech investor, Shaun Maguire, posted on X after the verdict that he had donated $300,000 to support Mr Trump.

“I believe our justice system is being weaponised against him,” he said.

02:12 AM BST

Trump Social shares plunge

Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group, the owner of social networking site Truth Social, slumped on Thursday after Donald Trump’s conviction.

Trump Media’s stock was down about 9 per cent in after-hours trading on Thursday as news of the verdict emerged.

02:06 AM BST

Elon Musk reacts to Trump’s verdict

Mr Musk said the former president’s verdict was “troubling indeed”.

01:59 AM BST

Stormy Daniels ‘emotional’ after verdict, says lawyer

Stormy Daniels’ lawyer, Clark Brewster, told CNN his client was “pretty emotional” following Mr Trump’s guilty verdict.

He said he has not yet discussed what his hopes are for sentencing with Ms Daniels.

01:50 AM BST

Biden campaign launches fundraising drive

Joe Biden’s re-election campaign has already begun fundraising on the back of Mr Trump’s guilty verdict.

The US president’s official White House spokesman, Ian Sams, released a brief statement shortly after the jury in Manhattan’s verdict was released.

“We respect the rule of law, and have no additional comment,” he said.

White House aides suggested the US president would not be directly addressing his Republican opponent’s conviction.

However, Mr Biden’s campaign began fundraising over the shock verdict within hours of it being handed down.

Read the full story by Rozina Sabur here.

01:13 AM BST

In pictures: Chaos as Trump is found guilty

12:59 AM BST

Tension as wifi cuts out minutes before verdict

The tension in courtroom 1530 was tenfold when the wifi cut out just minutes before the jury foreman stood up to deliver Trump’s guilty verdict.

Some desperate reporters pleaded unsuccessfully with strict police officers to let them get out their phone to use its hotspot.

Others were told no when they begged to run to the overflow room in the hope of regaining connectivity.

12:48 AM BST

Inside the courtroom: Trump stared ahead red faced as the jury delivered history

Donald Trump sat emotionless, staring blankly ahead as he awaited his fate.

The former president had been chatting cheerily moments earlier as another day of deliberations was drawing to a close.

He now faced a jury ready to deliver a verdict that could change the course of history.

“Guilty”, the foreman told the packed crowd in the stale room 1530 of Manhattan Criminal Court.

Then he repeated it again. And again. And again. 34 times to be precise.

Trump, now red in the face, had become the first ever former US president to be convicted of a felony.

The judge thanked the jury, the court was dismissed, and just like that the man who many polls say will win November’s election was a criminal.

Read the full story by Susie Coen here.

12:38 AM BST

Trump can still run for president

Trump’s conviction will not bar him from running for office.

Socialist Eugene Debs ran his presidential campaign in 1920 from a federal jail in Atlanta.

He was serving 10 years for sedition having encouraged people not to fight in World War One.

Debs still won nearly a million votes.

12:14 AM BST

Trump doubles down on ‘political prisoner’ claim

A text message has just been sent out to Donald Trump supporters: “I was just convicted in a rigged trial! I am a political prisoner!”

12:03 AM BST

Former fixer ‘just did it’ for guilty Donald Trump

Sitting just a few feet away from the man he once so adored, Michael Cohen twisted the knife.

“And he expressed to me: ‘just do it’,” the former lawyer said in his thick, Long Island accent, relaying the moment Donald Trump directed him to pay off a porn star.

Prosecutors had built up to the moment, before calling the final – and somewhat questionable – witness who now stood before them.

Read the full article from Susie Coen here.

11:59 PM BST

Pictured: Trump raises fist in defiance outside Trump Tower

11:57 PM BST

Prosecutors don’t rule out requesting Trump prison sentence

Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, refused to rule out requesting a prison sentence for Donald Trump in a post-verdict press conference, Rozina Sabur writes.

Asked if he would request a prison term, Mr Bragg said: “The judge scheduled sentencing for July 11th. We will speak in court at that time.”

11:54 PM BST

Steinglass asked about ‘masterful’ prosecution

Joshua Steinglass, a prosecutor, fails to suppress a smile and goes red when a reporter refers to his “masterful and flawless” arguments.

Alvin Bragg turns to him but Mr Steinglass gestures to his boss to answer the question for him.

11:53 PM BST

Trump ‘unlike any other defendant in American history’

Alvin Bragg said of Donald Trump: “This defendant may be unlike any other in American history.

“But we arrived at this trial… in the same manner as every other case that comes through the courtroom doors. By following the facts and the law.”

11:52 PM BST

Bragg pays tribute to team of prosecutors

Speaking at a press conference, Alvin Bragg turned to the prosecutors standing around him and said: “I want to thank this phenomenal prosecution team embodying the finest traditions of this office - professionalism, integrity, dedication and service.

“They are model public servants and I am proud and humbled to serve side by side with them.”

11:48 PM BST

Manhattan DA releases statement after Trump conviction

Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney who brought the case against Donald Trump, said in a statement:

11:46 PM BST

Trump verdict ‘is big win’ for New York prosecutors

Duncan Levin, an ex-New York prosecutor, was full of praise for the “thorough case” built by his former colleagues in the Manhattan district attorney’s office.

“The case was deeply corroborated, with testimony not built around one person but with texts and emails and phone records,” he told The Telegraph.

“The prosecution case was methodical, and the jury clearly paid attention.

“The defendant did everything he could to undermine the administration of justice, engaged in criminal contempt on ten occasions, and yet the system still gave him a trial that was fundamentally fair. That is a big win for the prosecution.”

11:43 PM BST

Trump: I’m a political prisoner

Donald Trump’s campaign website has been redesigned to claim that the former president is a “political prisoner”.

“Is this the end of America?” the caption reads underneath.

“I was just convicted in a RIGGED political Witch Hunt trial: I DID NOTHING WRONG!”

11:39 PM BST

Trump returns to Trump Tower

Donald Trump has returned to Trump Tower after being found guilty of falsifying business records in his “hush money” case.

The former president waved, pumped his fist - a gesture he has made repeatedly outside court in recent weeks - and mouthed “thank you” to supporters.

11:37 PM BST

Pictured: Trump reacts as ‘guilty’ verdict is read out - 34 times

11:35 PM BST

‘Finally some accountability’

Protester Susan Ryan was standing outside Manhattan Criminal Court holding a sign saying “convicted Don” when the jury delivered its guilty verdict.

The writer, from New York, said was “pleased there has finally been some accountability.”

“I’ve been following Trump’s rise to power”, she told The Telegraph. “Some of us have been protesting Trump for years.”

Ms Ryan said she decided to come down to the Lower Manhattan courthouse after she finished work, after being unable to attend yesterday.

“I walked into the park and they said there’s a verdict. I’m very happy,” she said.

11:34 PM BST

House Speaker: This is a shameful day

Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has declared that Donald Trump’s conviction marks a “shameful day in American history”.

Mr Johnson, who has allied himself closely with the former president, claimed Trump had been found guilty on “the testimony of a disbarred, convicted felon” - referring to Michael Cohen.

He continued: “This was a purely political exercise, not a legal one... The American people see this as lawfare, and they know it is wrong—and dangerous.

“President Trump will rightfully appeal this absurd verdict—and he WILL WIN!”

11:20 PM BST

‘The truth matters,’ says Cohen

Michael Cohen said in a statement: “While it has been a difficult journey for me and my family, the truth always matters.”

He went on to thank his lawyers “for their invaluable guidance and support throughout this process.”

Cohen was the last witness called by the prosecution in the trial, where he was cross-examined for three days by the defence.

In one bruising encounter, he was repeatedly accused of lying by Todd Blanche about a key phone call where he allegedly finalised a “hush money” payment with Donald Trump.

11:10 PM BST

Trump: Vote for me to save America

Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “VICTORY ON NOVEMBER 5TH. SAVE AMERICA!!!” He is referring to the date of the presidential election.

11:07 PM BST

Pictures: Trump leaves Manhattan court in motorcade

11:03 PM BST

Trump comments outside court in full

Donald Trump spent a short time conferring with family and supporters before speaking to media gathered outside the 15th floor courtroom. He said:

10:58 PM BST

‘Guilty on all counts’: Michael Cohen reacts to former boss’ conviction

10:57 PM BST

Pictured: Trump flanked by family and lawyer after being found guilty

10:53 PM BST

Biden campaign: No one is above the law

Michael Tyler, the communications director for Joe Biden’s re-election campaign, has released a statement:

Joe Biden is yet to personally comment on Donald Trump’s conviction.

10:48 PM BST

‘Circus’ scene outside court

It is a circus outside Manhattan Criminal Court today.

There is a swarm of journalists speaking to cameras, a helicopter circling above and a mass of protestors mixed with interested onlookers.

The crowd is surprisingly quiet. There are no cheers or boos.

One is holding a sign with a picture of Mr Trump alongside the words: “SHMUCK! Vote Trump out.”

10:46 PM BST

Trump heading home from court

Donald Trump is entering his motorcade and is now heading home. He has made the journey from Manhattan Criminal Court many times, but this will be the first as a convicted felon.

10:42 PM BST

Jury took just over nine hours to find former president guilty

Donald Trump has been found guilty in his “hush money” trial of falsifying business records to buy the silence of a porn star, a historic verdict that could influence the US elections.

Trump was convicted at a New York trial that centred around payments made to Stormy Daniels to “catch and kill” her story before the 2020 election.

He becomes the first former president to be convicted of a crime, as a jury of 12 New Yorkers took nine and a half hours to convict him on all 34 counts.

Trump is almost certain to appeal his conviction, which does not disqualify him from running for office or serving as president if elected.

He will be sentenced by Judge Juan Merchan at a later date. The most severe punishment he can receive is four years in prison for each count, which would likely run concurrently, although experts believe a non-custodial sentence is more likely.

10:40 PM BST

Pictured: Trump’s reaction

10:40 PM BST

Pictures: Crowds wave signs outside courthouse where Trump was convicted

10:28 PM BST

Trump ‘furious’ as court dismissed

Donald Trump plodded slowly out of the courtroom when court was dismissed.

He grabbed his son Eric’s hand, held it for a second and then continued on.

His face was completely red and his fury was palpable.

10:26 PM BST

Trump vows: This is not over

Donald Trump vowed to “keep fighting” and said he would “fight to the end”.

“Our country’s gone to hell we don’t have the same country anymore,” he told reporters. “We have a divided mess.”

He concluded: “We will fight for our Constitution. This is far from over.”

10:25 PM BST

‘I’m a very innocent man’

Donald Trump spoke to media after leaving the courtroom, repeatedly lashing out at Justice Juan Merchan.

“This was a rigged disgraceful trial - the real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people,” he said, referring to the date of the presidential election.

“We didn’t do a thing wrong I’m a very innocent man... our whole country is being rigged right now.”

10:18 PM BST

Trump to be sentenced on July 11

Todd Blanche asks for sentencing in mid to late July given Donald Trump’s full calendar of other criminal trials. Mr Trump will be sentenced on 11 July at 10am.

10:17 PM BST

Trump lawyer: Jury must have accepted Cohen’s testimony

The jury has been dismissed.

Todd Blanche tells the judge “there’s no way and no basis this jury could have reached this verdict without accepting the testimony of Michael Cohen”.

“For that reason combined with the fact there was no evidence” linking Donald Trump to the charges other than Cohen.

10:16 PM BST

Jury confirm verdict

The court clerk has asked every member of the jury if that is their verdict.

They all gave the same answer: “yes”.

10:10 PM BST

Trump guilty on all charges

Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts he faced.

He becomes the first US president in history to have been convicted in a criminal trial.

Mr Trump, 77, is sitting at the defence bench motionless, staring ahead blankly as the verdicts are read out.

10:10 PM BST

Trump guilty on all counts

Donald Trump has been found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.

10:09 PM BST

Trump motionless as verdict read out

Donald Trump is sitting at the defence bench motionless, staring ahead blankly.

10:06 PM BST

Reading the tea leaves

What can we infer from the time the jury spent deliberating?

This was a legally complex case and the jurors asked for some testimony to be read back as they deliberated for almost 10 hours.

Donald Trump’s team had been hopeful of a mistrial. A guilty verdict requires unanimity from the 12 jurors and there were some signs that one juror appeared sympathetic to the defence’s arguments in court.

The fact that they have reached a verdict means all 12 are in agreement on the 34 counts.

Some legal watchers speculate that the deliberation time indicates that Mr Trump has been found guilty on at least some charges, but we just don’t know if that is the case.

What we can tell you is that the defence table has gone from smiling to sour looks, according to reporters in court.

Mr Trump and his lawyers all look quite sombre and tense. The former president has his arms crossed across his chest.

10:05 PM BST

Jury is led into courtroom

Judge Juan Merchan is back on the bench, court is back in session. The jury is being led back into the courtroom.

10:02 PM BST

Where is Biden?

Joe Biden is currently at his home in Delaware, about 200 miles from New York City.

The US president spent the day with his family to mark the ninth anniversary of his son Beau’s death from brain cancer.

A senior White House official said there are “no plans” for the president to respond to the Trump verdict at this time.

Mr Biden faces a dilemma over how to respond to the outcome when it falls.

Mr Trump has repeatedly called it a “rigged” case and claimed it was brought by Democrats attempting to thwart his 2024 bid.

Mr Biden risks political blowback if he is seen to exploit the case.

10:02 PM BST

What was Donald Trump charged with?

Donald Trump has been charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records, in the criminal case where the jury is due to deliver their verdict within minutes.

Of those charges, 11 relate to invoices submitted by Michael Cohen, 11 relate to cheques paid out to him, and 12 are entries on the Trump Organisation’s ledger.

Falsifying business records is normally classed as a misdemeanour in New York. However, Mr Trump has been charged with a felony because prosecutors allege he did so to influence the result of the 2016 presidential election.

Read the full list of criminal charges Donald Trump faces here.

09:56 PM BST

Jury spent 9.5 hours deliberating

The jury of 12 men and women spent a total of 9.5 hours deliberating the charges over the course of two days before reaching a verdict.

09:53 PM BST

Trump in court waiting to hear his fate

Donald Trump is in the courtroom ready to hear his fate.

The Republican 2024 candidate is sat at the defence table with his arms crossed.

His lawyer, Todd Blanche, is whispering in his ear.

09:51 PM BST

Jury reaches a verdict

Hello and welcome to The Telegraph’s live blog.

The jury in Donald Trump’s historic criminal trial has reached a verdict and will be returning to the Manhattan courtroom shortly.

Susie Coen, our US reporter who has been in court each day, explains the four possible outcomes for the former US president.

You can read more about them here while wait for the jury to return.