Yesterday was a good day! Donald Trump was convicted of all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with his affair with Stormy Daniels and paying her hush money. The internet, especially Twitter, had a field day. Time Magazine and the New Yorker put out special covers, which I’m including in this post. People are so pleased that a group of twelve regular New Yorkers listened to all of the evidence, deliberated for two days and found that terrorist monster guilty. And the jury came back with the verdict in time for a weekend! Good times. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg deserves a lot of credit too – out of all of Trump’s crimes, indictments and trials, few people put faith in Bragg’s ability to properly prosecute Trump and get a conviction. He proved a lot of people wrong.
Stormy Daniels testified in court against Trump, as did Michael Cohen (Trump’s former lawyer). Cohen and his lawyer were on MSNBC last night for an in-depth interview and reaction to the conviction. Cohen pointed out something interesting (to me), which is that Trump was the one leading his defense, as opposed to “Trump was listening to his lawyers and taking their advice.” Which was probably his undoing. Here’s that interview:
Yeah, I actually forgot that Cohen did go to prison and that he didn’t get some kind of sweetheart deal, like some of Trump’s cronies. Anyway, I’m just floating on air today – it’s almost as great as the day we learned that Trump had Covid.
The greatest city in the world. pic.twitter.com/PTKliDBFIl
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) May 30, 2024
This tweet age like a Bordeaux from ‘94. pic.twitter.com/E5wa5EYZua
— Renee (@PettyLupone) May 30, 2024
WHAT IS IT, THE BRAIDS?!? https://t.co/6bN2Es9rQX pic.twitter.com/HbnBjTALph
— AME Youngboy (@MelechThomas) May 30, 2024
Justice!! pic.twitter.com/rZvjVmjIkN
— E. Jean Carroll (@ejeancarroll) May 30, 2024
Photos courtesy of Cover Images. Covers courtesy of Time and The New Yorker.
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- Former President Donald J. Trump appears in court for his arraignment, in New York City. According to CNN: Former President Donald Trump personally pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree in a Manhattan court after hearing charges against him. The charges stem from an investigation into a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. Featuring: Donald Trump Where: New York, New York, United States When: 04 Apr 2023 Credit: POOL via CNP/startraksphoto.com
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- Former President Donald J. Trump appears in court for his arraignment, in New York City. According to CNN: Former President Donald Trump personally pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree in a Manhattan court after hearing charges against him. The charges stem from an investigation into a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. Featuring: Donald Trump Where: New York, New York, United States When: 04 Apr 2023 Credit: POOL via CNP/startraksphoto.com
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- Pray Vote Stand Summit at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Featuring: Donald J. Trump Where: Washington, District Of Columbia, United States When: 15 Sep 2023 Credit: Rod Lamkey/CNP/startraksphoto.com
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- Donald Trump Addresses the Media During Financial Fraud Trial Featuring: Donald Trump Where: New York, New York, United States When: 04 Oct 2023 Credit: Janet Mayer/startraksphoto.com
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- Former United States President Donald Trump makes remarks at the 2024 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Featuring: Donald Trump Where: Oxon Hill, Maryland, United States When: 24 Feb 2024 Credit: POOL via CNP/INSTARimages.com
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- Trump Motorcade Leaves Court After Guilty Verdict Featuring: Donald Trump Protestors Where: New York, New York, United States When: 30 May 2024 Credit: Janet Mayer/INSTARimages.com
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- Trump Motorcade Leaves Court After Guilty Verdict Featuring: Donald Trump Protestors Where: New York, New York, United States When: 30 May 2024 Credit: Janet Mayer/INSTARimages.com
Yesterday was a good day but I have a bad feeling that we are still probably looking at either our next president or the reason why we may have something even worse than January 6th coming at us. Strange days indeed.
The prosecution of so many Capitol Hillbillies will be a deterrent to more stupid traitorous insurrections. Sadly, most of the Trumpers don’t even really know why they’re so rabidly MAGA. Disinformation is a terrible drug.
We can only hope about the deterrent effect.
I’m really happy he was convicted. Walking on air etc.
And then I slammed back to earth when I remembered that the last time this skid mark didn’t get his way, he tried to incite an insurrection and over throw our government.
The sheer amount of Magas who have been itching to kill some liberals is so high. I don’t want to leave the house for the next couple of days.
You last paragraph is both funny and terrifying. I hope with all my heart that this assh*le doesn’t make it in. As a Canadian, I am very, very worried about another Trump dictatorship/presidency. His jealousy towards Trudeau didn’t bode well for us, and I doubt his feelings towards our PM have changed. Of course, his grifter daughter might not show for the second round. Ha, who am I kidding? Every one of them will be there, hands out.
I haven’t been able to feel positive about it. Just waiting for him to wriggle out in appeals & make all of democracy pay for this verdict. Sigh.
Agreed, K.
I am thrilled he was found guilty…obviously he is guilty of this and so much more. But for me it is hard to celebrate because his supporters will follow him no matter what. They will vote for him no matter what.
It will still take a miracle for him to lose the election. If he does lose, then I will celebrate!
💯
I’m not certain, but it sounds as though it may have been less an “affair” and more a business transaction and/or an assault.
Evidence on Susan MacDougal’s ‘catch and kill’ was also covered in the trial and that was a full affair, a very loving affair. I think MacDougal would have been a far better 1st lady than Melania.
I felt sorry for Karen M, she actually loved that creep.
Oops, *Karen, not Susan. Agreeing with Elx, I feel bad for her.
In the history of women who loved total asshats, Karen has a story to top us all.
“Very loving” and “Donald Trump” don’t belong in the same sentence.
This was a better day.
One way it’s better: no secret service agents were intentionally exposed to a deadly virus by the orange turd or his minions.
It was a good day but the best day will be in November when he doesn’t win the election. So get out there and make that happen. It seems the only way to be rid of him.
Yeah his sad little bootlickers won’t stop so everyone needs to get their friends out to ROE THE VOTE.
Time to shove their handmaids tale back in their faces.
How is it possible that a person with 34 felony convictions is still eligible to be on the ballot for POTUS?
I don’t mean to spoil everyone’s fun but it still remains to be seen whether or not Trump will see a day in jail. As mentioned here Cohen went to jail and then he did house arrest. It would be extremely wrong if Trump didn’t do time.
Well, considering his threats to the prosecution and the judge, i think he will get some jail time. Cohen did. Also… We might get DC trial before the elections.
Magas will be upset for like a week, and that will be it. Maybe Marj Greene will visit him… and Don Jr.
I doubt he will go to prison and I also doubt there will be the DC trial, but I also doubt he will win in November.
I highly doubt he will but I don’t think that lessens the importance of this verdict being reached. Let’s not miss the forest for the trees here: this man has successfully skated every single attempt to take him down until now. It could have been a hung jury–let’s just chill out and take this win.
I sounds very likely that he won’t. He doesn’t have any prior felonies and the felonies he was convicted of are lesser charges. However, he did defy the judge’s gag order and he still has plenty of time to act a fool before sentencing, so we’ll see! Regardless, 34 felony convictions are going to alter the success of his campaign, though it remains to be seen how much.
I listened to the most-recent Pod Save America on this. Their lawyer expert said he researched the FBRs (falsifying business records) convictions in NY since 2015, and for every single one there was jail time. We’ll have to wait until after the election–if he’s the candidate & even at this point, there’s no guarantees–but he’ll likely do time.
Oh, and wanted to add. For this conviction in this location, it’s Rikers. 😳
@BeanieBean, I’ve wondered if it would be Rikers — or some other special, cushy, Federal arrangements. Good to know. Family visits should be interesting. I also wonder how the secret service protection will go — and if the agents will get hazard pay. Thanks for the info!
…and none of them were former POTUSs.
That’s sort of the issue I have with people citing precedence as a way to gauge the outcome: this is *unprecedented*.
There are all kinds of complicated issues surrounding the notion of a former US president being behind bars from wtf happens to his secret service detail to any other number of logistical issues. I really hope I’m wrong but I just don’t see jail time happening.
My guess? He gets probation or conditional discharge.
The cover of the New Yorker is fantastic!!! 💕
The tiny hands🤣
+1
Yesterday was my 50th birthday and this gave me ANOTHER reason to celebrate!
Congratulations 🎁
Damn, and I thought I had a good one when they raided Mar-a-lago on my 30th! Happy birthday, indeed.
The gift that keeps on giving. Happy Belated.
I heard it announced live and actually screamed. When I heard there was a verdict I was preparing myself for the worst, I was absolutely stunned that he was finally held accountable. Guilty on EVERY. SINGLE. COUNT.
New Yorker here. I’m happy that my state did the right thing and he was found guilty but I’m not rejoicing just yet. Doubt he will serve any prison time. He still has to face charges in GA and the one, that I’m waiting for, the federal charges. It’s unlikely that he’ll face trial for those before the elections. And I want him convicted sooooo badly on the federal charges. I want an October surprise investigation that reveals who he sold classified documents too. So much is riding this year on the elections. And his base is more emboldened that this is all a conspiracy against him. They’ll be more crazy than before. I hope his conviction does sway the rest of the voters, independents especially. Anyway, don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade. Just being first and foremost wary and, secondly, cautiously optimistic.
Cautious is good, Mireille. I think that the perk of this outcome is that they’ll be able to use it in the GA trial. They can now point to him being a felon when they make their case and I think that will help. The US law works with precedence.
Our go forward is the same though:
Vote, in every race we’re entitled to vote in, supporting Democratic candidates up and down the ballot.
Volunteer, support as we can: Get Out The Vote efforts, voter registration drives and the campaigns of Democratic candidates up and down the ballot. (Third party or protest votes put our democracy at risk; not voting puts our democracy at risk. No candidate is perfect; vote for the one who is most likely to support the Constitution, US Democracy so you can continue voting in future elections vs Trump and GOP fascist minions/Storm Troopers running things into the ground for years)
Volunteer to help out at polling locations where we live, and be loud about any GOP attempts to unlawfully restrict voting access.
This is THE most important election cycle of our lives. Don’t let the bullies, dictator wannabies, Putin’s puppets, the morons, the fascists and the Xtian Nationalists run the table or keep us away from the polls.
This is the way. Everyone needs to fight this election battle with everything they have. Do not relax.
This man cannot be the leader of the free world.
I’m not sure why people think this conviction will sway his voters to not vote for him. They’ll vote for him even more.
As a New Yorker, I’m pleased that we did what we could to hold this baby-handed fascist piece of shit accountable for SOMETHING. I’m under no illusion that it will change the minds of his demented worshipers, but fuck it, we tried. It was a good day, but the federal charges are everything.
NY and honestly the majority of the northeast corridor know what a monster this guy is. I hope New Yorkers are proud today–y’all deserve to be.
TBH the majority of Americans dislike him. The only reason there’s any chance he’d be president is because of our ridiculous electoral college system that gives outsized weight to empty states.
They loved him on The Apprentice and at that time, every NYer I knew was warning the public what a monster he was. Trump’s crime-ing didn’t start in 2016. He spent decades engaging in unscrupulous behavior from unlawfully jacking up rents on his regulated properties to hiring undocumented immigrants to erect his buildings to a pattern of not paying his bills. His father was also a notoriously racist slumlord as well so sufficed to say, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
People in NY, NJ, CT all knew this decades ago. Hell, a lot of people in those states LIVED it.
Look, I’m glad that the jury found him guilty of all 34 counts. I bow down to Alvin Bragg and NYC for their excellent work. Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels withstood a lot of hate to testify and I’m grateful they did.
I don’t think that we’re going to wait long for him to appeal this case and who knows what will happen next. I can’t imagine that the judge will smack him with jail time, though I would love to see him at least have to check in regularly during probation (which would interfere with his MAGAt rantings).
I have no evidence of this, but I do believe that this verdict hurts him. He’s being subjected to a lot of painful “paper cuts,” and while he won’t lose diehard fans, some people are going to be turned off by him losing, by his amoral actions or be less enthusiastic about him. Peeling away his support is hugely important.
Not if he’s still allowed to run for President.
Honestly, I don’t know. All of my friends are Democrats, but some of my family isn’t. The Republicans family is sorted into the group that hates Trump with a passion and the group that fervently supports him no matter what. That first group liked Nikki Haley, and I couldn’t get through to them that she’d flip back to being a Trump supporter again—some actually touched base with me about that and they were shocked. So having him there is seriously dangerous, and I am scared of November. However, my experience with Republicans is that they will vote for whoever the Republican candidate is no matter what, and I just don’t see an “undangerous” R candidate. He is motivating a small percentage to vote for Biden or a third party candidate.
There will be republicans who stay home on election day because they cannot bring themselves to vote for trump, and I think that number of republicans went up yesterday. We will have to see if it went up enough to make a difference.
Yesterday was great but I’m looking forward to the sentencing. I know he won’t spend a long time in jail but anything is better than nothing. Esp since 45 can’t seem to stop himself from lying about and talking sh*t about the judge (…”he’s the most corrupt and crooked judge…”), the judges’ daughter, DA Bragg, the jury (he claims they’re all Democrats -they’re not), the witnesses, etc despite being under a gag order. The funniest part is that he made his defense put on the last witness, whom most legal experts said they never would have had testify, and who was so terrible, the jury laughed at him and that witness later imploded. Michael Cohen, who was his former lawyer and served almost 4 years in jail, secretly recorded 45, and some of the recordings were admitted into evidence. So one of 45’s own lawyers didn’t trust him at all. Also 45 didn’t dare take the stand (after he and his minions lied and said he would).
He’s the biggest loser! Keep those convictions coming! 👏🤣👏
Hah!
If I were technically skilled, it’d be funny to update DNS, etc to automatically redirect any online searches for The Biggest Loser or Loser to a public announcement of his conviction.
As a New Yorker, I celebrated. But, tbh, I’m also scared. I think this only excites the MAGA and even a mugshot would be great advertising. Im more hopeful of a heart attack taking him out than any convictions. Sigh.
I feel the same. COVID didn’t do the job; maybe his clogged arteries finally will?
Where is Spontaneous Human Combustion when you need it?
NYer as well and I’m concerned as well as celebratory. This will only galvanize his crazed followers into more of a frenzy. And I doubt very much he’ll serve any jail time, how can his Secret Service protection carry guns in prison? And I’ve already heard on the news that he may have grounds for appeal, one because the trial was held in a state that was prejudiced against him because we New Yorkers do hate him and I’m so glad the jury held him accountable. I’m praying any appeal gets overturned. One can only hope that all the fast food will catch up to him and soon.
This. Dying a felon will be far more impactful for him and his ego than the actual jail time. That’ll just give him a chance to play up the martyr angle and rile up his troglodytes.
I read that while typically a non-violent first offender (I know) often gets probation and no jail time, this one is different because of the shear number of felony convictions. Jail time for these felonies range from 1 year to 4 years. Cannot wait for sentencing on July 11! Also being considered at sentencing are all of the unhinged threats Trump spewed at the judge, his family, the prosecution, and so on. I almost hope jail time is included as a direct consequence of the threats.
I think home detention for a few days is more likely. Incarcerating Trump would be a nightmare for the penal system. Although I would favor just sending him to Ryker’s and leaving him there forever.
Agreed, Brassy Rebel. We need to enjoy this win for what it is: a successful example of our judicial system in action. He was properly held accountable by a group of objective, fair-minded and dare I say courageous group of his peers. That’s not nothing. The fantasies about jail time should be kept at bay right now and the focus should be on voting in November because he WILL be the GOP candidate and the polls are too close for comfort.
Cohen got 3 years for much the same charges. He also pled guilty which lowers the sentence.
I am so proud of NYC — and of the many brave people who have worked to make this happen. I don’t know if this is possible or if they would actually want to be there, but I would be deeply gratified if the members of the so-called “Central Park 5” — now the “Exonerated Five” — could attend Trump’s sentencing. Let them stare Trump down as he waits to hear his future.
Trump is a mentally ill criminal. Alongside that though, he has long been a rabid racist. Let a few more of the people who Trump has hurt directly be there to witness Trump as he faces the consequences that will follow from just a tiny portion of his life of malevolent behavior.
Some are saying it’s not a good day for America because a former president is now a convicted felon. Bull s**t! Trump has been allowed to blow through numerous norms and rules from the moment he came down the escalator. It’s not fair to compare him to even the worst former presidents and many have been awful and racist. But Trump has always been in a class by himself. He stands out in a crowd. So now there has been a scintilla of accountability and we need to rub his nose in it every chance we get. From now on, he will always be The Convicted Felon to me.
And I’m still mad that Covid didn’t kill him when it took so many good people. But of course, he got the latest treatment not available to others. He should rot in hell.
Exactly my thoughts.
It was not a good day for America when — thanks in part to the Electoral College — a felon was elected President. It is a very good thing that a felon was convicted.
Lol: I’m confused! I thought the Republicans and the Trump supporters LIKED being tough on crime — and harsh penalties for criminals!
This is so petty but I can’t wait to throw this in the face of the Law And Order crowd.
Omg, this is brilliant, Blithe: “Lol: I’m confused! I thought the Republicans and the Trump supporters LIKED being tough on crime — and harsh penalties for criminals!”
👏👏👏👏👏
Remember when he encouraged police to rough up suspects during arrests? Oh wait he just meant the Black ones.
I hope they fit him for an orange suit that properly fits a 6’2 foot 190 lbs person, per his claims!
Who knew a former porn star would turn out to be the hero we needed – I got a text when the verdict was read – “there is a god” no other explanation needed. I’m going to have start re thinking my agnostic views!
I’m bummed my #TeamStormy shirt didn’t get here in time. I will wear it once it is here though, I am thrilled this man was found guilty. This jacka$$ was all over the place when I was growing up and he has always been a slime bag. Nice to see some justice. Does make me wonder, if he does get jail time, if they’ll grab him by the pu**y………….One can hope.
I’m of course glad but not giddy with happiness like some people on line. Honest question: what does this change??? He will still be the nominated candidate and could definitely win. Sorry but this does not make me more optimistic.
I’ve probably said this too many times already but we should all be happy that he was held accountable because he really hasn’t been up until this point. That is 100% something to celebrate and be grateful for. Beyond that, I agree with you that nothing has materially changed. On a slightly positive note, I don’t think this conviction will get him more support either. But the people that liked him before will still like him so as you said, the needle hasn’t moved. He will not do jail time IMO and he will still be the GOP candidate in Nov. I also DO think that he can win and I’m terrified seeing so many Dems insist that he can’t or that the polls are wrong. Ignore the polls at your own peril but also, don’t suppress the vote. Do NOT lull people into a false sense of security. Take the win for yesterday–enjoy it–and then let’s all get back to business focusing on galvanizing the Biden vote.
I guess I’m not giddy, though I am happy about the verdict, Normades.
Small glimmers of hope: Trump isn’t as appealing to women as men and he and his minions have been aiming at women’s rights. Women (E Jean and Stormy) have been key in scratching that teflon surface of his. His base might love this, but he needs a bit more to win even with gerrymandering and suppressing the vote. I don’t think this helps him there. Also, in every trial going forward, they can point to this, and he’s scheduled for trials. He no longer can be given as much benefit of the doubt in terms of character (not that we do here). I think it has a small but significant impact on him.
Unfortunately, whyte women were the ones who gave him the victory in 2016.
@Normades, I completely agree with you. I do think, though, that at least some people who reflexively vote Republican, and/or have long ignored Trump’s pathological “governing” might pause at the idea of electing a convicted felon.
I also very much agree with @Kitten that it’s important for people — including his base — to see Trump being held accountable for at least some of his actions.
Thank you for all your answers but when I see also so many Dems not liking Biden and saying “he’s just as bad“ I am very afraid this felon will be voted in again because of general amnesia or complacency of voters
Love this new recording about Trump’s convictions. https://x.com/madmcferrin/status/1796293575329898999
Can we get that in a ringtone?
Omg, that is fantastic!
Loving the Time cover graphic, but I would have added a line of pale, unsprayed skin around his hairline for accuracy 🤡
🤭
What I don’t understand is how a convicted felon can still be eligible for the Presidency
This was my question. Can he still run for president at this point?
Because when the Constitution was written, they probably never even imagined a convicted felon would even think about running for election. (That is just one of the many reasons I get irritated at the people who think it should be literally interpreted, like SCOTUS did to strike down Roe v Wade.)
Thanks for explaining.
The Constitution left a loophole because they probably didn’t, in their wildest dreams, expect a situation like this. Probably figured someone like that would be weeded out by their own foibles or society at large. Sweet naive summer children that they were. 🙄
Trump has gotten away with so much because none of us were expecting that sort of thing so close to the presidency. Us non-MAGAts are still stood there in shock, muttering, “WTF?!?!”
Baby Fists for Prison
Lock.Him.Up
I am pleased the jury did their job. They followed the evidence.
The most important part is the sentence IMO.
Apparently T will probably get a fine and probation.
I personally do not see that as Justice.
Prison is accountability.
My husband and I have been following the trial so closely! I was in a staff meeting yesterday when someone’s laptop blared audio saying that the jury had announced that they had a verdict. Texted my husband for the scoop, and then my colleagues and I were all texting back and forth. After the meeting, one of our administrators grabbed my hands in shock and was basically jumping up and down in glee when I told her! Lol what a glorious day! We went home and drank the bottle of champagne we’d been saving!
My MIL called me in excitement and at first I was so confused (I’m not fluent in her language) but I heard Jake tapper in the background and I got it! I don’t think he’d serve time. It would be a logistical nightmare for secret service. But I think the conviction is still important. This conviction will be printed in history books for all the future kids to learn.
Stop making good be the enemy of perfect.
Lasting change takes time and is built upon victories and defeats. Until yesterday all we’ve had were defeats. It was impossible to hold trump responsible. The verdict kicked impossible to the curb. We have experienced now the possibility of making trump responsible for his crimes. We
can now see a successful path to accountability.
Absolutely celebrate. Celebration breeds remembrance and vision. With so many voters being apathetic we have to be encouraging. Realism and hope can co-exist.
O.J. finally croaked, so I do have hope that both Trump and Putin will also follow the great majority of humanity within the very near future.
Someone(s) pointed out, on twitter, that any single jury member could have capitulated to the threat of MAGA violence that they all faced, or decided to hang the jury and become the new darling of the right, for fame and fortune. The fact that none of them did is a testament to incredible integrity of the jurors, collectively and individually —an integrity that has not been demonstrated by our elected leaders.
I wish Rachel Maddow had brought this up.
This is such an important point.
When my late husband got sick many old friends reconnected with us and have given me marvelous support throughout and after he passed away.
And then this news came out and to my utter shock several of my friends had absolute meltdowns. Anti Biden meltdowns.
I made these friends decades ago over common interests and hobbies and had no idea…
I’m pretty gutted. They’re absolutely loving and kind and I am just stunned. Two of them are very educated accomplished working women. What is this man’s appeal? Why do they find Trump believable but not Biden? Why not give both of them side eye then. But don’t elevate Trump as a martyr. How are people still buying what he’s selling? He even keeps telling that fable about the snake. He’s warning you, people!