While the verdict was read out Trump sat with his eyes closed according to court reports. A hushed courtroom echoed that of the nation. After the jury verdict was read out Outside the courtroom, Trump denounced the “rigged, disgraceful trial”.
“I’m a very innocent man, I’m fighting for our country. I’m fighting for our Constitution. I think it’s just a disgrace. And we’ll keep fighting, we’ll fight till the end, and we’ll win because our country has gone to hell.”
Has Trump finally met the consequences of his actions? That’s the question that divided the panel, but there’s no doubt that what happened in a New York courtroom was an unprecedented moment in American history. Former President Donald J. Trump has been found guilty on all counts of a crime; he is now a criminal. The verdict, delivered by a Manhattan jury, sparked a wide range of reactions from mid-Atlantic political analysts and commentators.
Denise Hamilton highlighted the significance of the verdict in the context of justice and accountability. "We have to have rules. And we have to have a society where justice means something, where character means something." Trump’s actions have shaken the pillars of American society, making this conviction a critical moment for upholding the rule of law, she continued.
The panel on the podcast debated the potential ramifications of the verdict on Trump’s political future and the broader justice system. “A criminal judgement inherently reduces whoever the person is that has it. Nobody comes away from it with enhanced stature," was Jarett Kobek’s take. Pollster Logan Phillips, based in Washington, D.C., focused on the electoral implications, citing polling data that suggests a potential shift in voter sentiment, with Aram Fischer continuing, "If you are explaining, you are losing," referring to the challenge Trump faces in mitigating the damage from this verdict as he campaigns for the 2024 election.
The podcast team also addressed the deepening divisions in American society, with reactions to the verdict reflecting the country's polarised political landscape. Mike Donoghue, a guest on the show, expressed concern about the broader societal impact. "Trump is going to keep trumping. The question is how is America going to respond to that?" Donoghue queried, highlighting the ongoing schism and potential for increased tension.
Podcast novice Dave Smith from London offered an international perspective, considering the long-term implications for American democracy. "This isn’t about Republicans or Democrats. This is about crime, and you shouldn’t do it. We should have a culture," Smith asserted, emphasising the importance of maintaining a culture of accountability for future leaders.
In the wake of the verdict, President Biden took to social media, posting, "There’s only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office. At the ballot box," along with a link to his campaign fundraising site. Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr. responded more succinctly, calling the verdict "such bullshit" and accusing Democrats of turning America into a "third world shithole."
As the nation grapples with the ramifications of this historic verdict, the Mid-Atlantic podcast continues to provide analysis and commentary. America will hold its breath until sentencing on July 11th. In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law. Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain. It will be the American people who ultimately decide if this maxim holds true at the ballot box in 2024.
Trump’s Guilty Verdict: What Now?