SAN ANTONIO – Former President Donald Trump, who was found guilty on all 34 counts related to falsifying records in a hush money trial, spoke to reporters Thursday afternoon outside a New York courtroom.
Trump became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex.
Jurors deliberated for 9.5 hours over two days before convicting Trump of all 34 counts he faced. Trump sat stone-faced as the verdict was being read, while cheering from the street below — where supporters and detractors of the former president were gathered — could be heard in the hallway on the 15th floor of the courthouse.
“This was a disgrace,” Trump said after he walked out of the courtroom. “This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge, who was corrupt. It was a rigged trial, a disgrace.”
Trump was adamant that the Manhattan-based jury would not have the final say.
“The real verdict is going to be Nov. 5, by the people,” Trump said, referring to Election Day.
Some notable Texas politicians shared their reactions to Thursday’s verdict on social media.
Governor Greg Abbott described the trial as a “sham” while also calling for voters to “FIRE Joe Biden” on Election Day.
Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz also sent out separate statements on Thursday. Cornyn said the hush money trial “should have never happened.” Cruz called Thursday “a dark day for America” and believed the trial “should be overturned promptly on appeal.”
Democratic U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin described Trump as a “wannabe ruler” and reinforced that “no one...is above the law.”
Additionally, a White House spokesperson said Thursday that the White House “respects the rule of law” but had no additional comment.
Juan Sepulveda, current Trinity University professor Juan Sepulveda and a former campaign advisor for former President Barack Obama, joined KSAT’s 6 O’Clock News to discuss the potential outcomes following Thursday’s verdict.
The interview can be seen below.
Trump is expected to quickly appeal the verdict and will face an awkward dynamic as he seeks to return to the campaign trail as a convicted felon.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.