Following former US President and Republican candidate Donald Trump’s conviction on all 34 counts of criminal charges in the hush money case, social media was inundated with his supporters posting inverted US flags as a sign of protest. Among the prominent figures displaying the upside-down flag were Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and country music singer Jason Aldean.
Donald Trump, who became the first former US President to be convicted of a crime, claimed the trial was “rigged” and politically motivated. In response, President Joe Biden criticized Donald Trump and his supporters, calling their claims “reckless, dangerous, and irresponsible” for suggesting the trial was unfair simply because they disagreed with the verdict.
The 77-year-old former President will face sentencing on July 11. The jury found Donald Trump guilty of falsifying business documents after a six-week trial that included explicit testimony from porn star Stormy Daniels about an alleged sexual encounter in 2006 while Donald Trump was married to his current wife, Melania Trump. Donald Trump has denied the affair and is expected to appeal the verdict.
Developments in Donald Trump’s hush money case conviction
1. Biden’s Strong Rebuke
President Joe Biden condemned Donald Trump and his supporters’ reaction to the verdict, stating from the White House, “Donald Trump was given every opportunity to defend himself.” He emphasized that the case was brought by the state, not the federal government, and the verdict was delivered by “a jury of 12 citizens, 12 Americans, 12 people like you.”
2. Donald Trump’s Response
Speaking from Trump Tower in Manhattan, Donald Trump criticized the US justice system, portraying himself as a martyr. In his unscripted 33-minute speech, he stated, “If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone,” and vowed to “save our country and save our Constitution.”
3. Supporters’ Reactions
Pro-Trump websites were flooded with calls for riots, violent retribution, and revolution. Some supporters called for attacks on jurors and the judge, Justice Juan Merchan, and even suggested armed insurrection, according to Reuters.
4. Fundraising Surge
Following the conviction, Donald Trump’s campaign raised $53.8 million in 24 hours. Advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita stated, “Biden and his Democrat allies have turned our legal system into a political tool, and Americans from every corner of the country have had enough.”
5. Legal Team’s Perspective
Donald Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, praised the former President’s composed demeanor during the verdict. Todd Blanche told The Associated Press, “I was shocked at how he took the verdict. He just stood there and just kind of took it. And, I think had a lot of appropriate solemnness for the moment that made me very proud to be sitting next to him when it was happening.”
The situation continues to develop as Donald Trump’s legal team prepares to appeal the conviction and his supporters remain vocal in their protests.
