Shortly after former US President Donald Trump was convicted in the notorious hush-money case, he harshly criticized the jury, labeling the trial as “rigged and disgraceful.” Trump made these incendiary comments while speaking to reporters outside the New York courthouse following the verdict.
While addressing the reporters, Trump called himself a ‘very innocent man’ and insisted that he had done nothing wrong. He exclaimed outside the courtroom “The real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people, and they know what happened here, and everybody knows what happened here.”
Shortly after Trump’s remarks, his campaign’s official website redirected visitors to a fundraising page claiming he was a “political prisoner.” The page read, “I was just convicted in a RIGGED political Witch Hunt trial: I DID NOTHING WRONG! They’ve raided my home, arrested me, took my mugshot, AND NOW THEY’VE JUST CONVICTED ME!”
The fundraising page featured Trump’s mugshot from his arraignment in Georgia last year. The former reality TV star’s page solicited donations of $20.24 or more for Trump’s joint fundraising committee.
It is worth mentioning that Trump remains free, as the judge did not order his detention following the verdict. Trump ultimately exited the courtroom in a Secret Service motorcade.
The sentencing for the former president is set for July 11, just four days before the Republican National Convention begins in Milwaukee.
Biden’s team shared their thoughts on the issue
While Biden’s campaign was aggressive and outspoken on the issue, the White House maintained a more reserved approach. Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the counsel’s office, issued a brief statement: “We respect the rule of law, and have no additional comment.”
In contrast, Biden’s campaign emphasized that the verdict demonstrated “no one is above the law” and reminded voters that the only way to prevent Trump from returning to the Oval Office is through the ballot box.
Biden campaign spokesman Michael Tyler stated via mail “Convicted felon or not, Trump will be the Republican nominee for president.”