DeepSummary
After roughly 10 hours of deliberation, a jury of 12 New Yorkers reached a verdict in the criminal hush money trial of former President Donald Trump, finding him guilty on all 34 counts of felony falsification of business records. The charges centered around hush money payments made to an adult film actress in the closing days of the 2016 presidential election, with the crime being the falsification of these payments as business records.
The episode features an NPR roundtable discussing the historic verdict, its legal implications, and its potential political impact, as Trump is currently running for president again. They analyze Trump's response, in which he called the trial 'rigged' and blamed the Biden administration, despite the case being brought by New York prosecutors.
Legal experts weigh in on the appeals process and potential sentencing, noting that while Trump could face jail time, probation or home confinement are more likely. They also discuss the challenges of having a convicted felon as a presidential candidate and the broader implications of the verdict for American democracy.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of felony falsification of business records related to hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign.
- The verdict is historic, marking the first time a former U.S. president has been convicted of a crime.
- Trump denounced the trial as 'rigged' and claimed the 'real verdict' will come from voters in the 2024 presidential election, which he is currently running in.
- Legal experts analyzed the appeals process and potential sentencing, noting Trump could face jail time but probation or home confinement are more likely.
- The conviction raises questions about the viability of Trump's presidential campaign and the broader implications for American democracy.
- While Trump had no involvement from the Biden administration, he falsely accused Biden of orchestrating the case against him.
- The jury was seen as thorough and decisive, deliberating for 10 hours before reaching a unanimous guilty verdict.
- As a state-level conviction, Trump could not pardon himself even if re-elected president.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “This was a rigged, disgraceful trial that the real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people.“ by Donald Trump
- “My initial reaction is mixed in that, you know, as a critic of the prosecution making some of these decisions. On the other hand, I am also pretty astonished about how Trump has been able to avoid legal accountability for so many other crimes and those prosecutions were stronger.“ by Jed Sugarman
- “This is a jury that did its work very thoroughly, but also very quickly. What I'm thinking about now is the idea that this is a state crime, a series of state crimes, and that even if Donald Trump were to regain the White House, he could not pardon himself from this state crime.“ by Carrie Johnson
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Episode Information
Consider This from NPR
NPR
5/30/24
Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts of felony falsification of business records to cover up a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the closing days of the 2016 presidential election.
Trump says this is "a rigged disgraceful trial," while the Biden campaign said this verdict shows that "no one is above the law," but that former President Donald Trump still poses a "threat ... to our democracy."
NPR's Scott Detrow and Juana Summers, along with NPR political correspondents, unpack the guilty verdict and what it means ahead of the election in November.
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