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Trump found guilty on all counts in first-ever criminal trial of a former president

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A New York City jury found former President Donald Trump guilty on several counts of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments ahead of the 2016 presidential records, according to breaking reports.

Jurors spent fewer than 11 hours deliberating and had only a few specific questions. One related to the testimony of former National Enquirer/AMI chief David Pecker and another requested a re-reading of the jury instructions.

At the close of the second day of deliberation, the jury was told that they would be sent home at 6 p.m. EST. The judge announced that he would allow jurors to go home at approximately 4:30 p.m., and the jurors responded by saying they have a verdict and need about 30 minutes to fill out the form, MSNBC reported on air.

The historic decision represents the first time a panel of jurors determined the guilt of a former president on criminal charges.

Trump's sentencing is scheduled for July 11 at 10 a.m. ET.

Trump maintained his innocence throughout the six-week trial that saw a former fixer, adult film star, and ex-tabloid publisher take the stand to testify about catch-and-kill schemes linked to salacious stories and six-figure payments made in secret.

Dramatic moments saw Stormy Daniels turning the tables on Trump attorney Susan Necheles, Michael Cohen admitting he stole from Trump, and Hope Hicks bursting into sudden tears.

A furious Justice Juan Merchan made the "unbelievable" decision to clear his courtroom to chastise one of Trump's two defense witnesses, attorney Robert Costello.

Quieter moments saw Trump taking frequent "bonafide" naps, or, as he put it, closing his "beautiful blue eyes."

ALSO READ: ‘Strategy and manipulation’: Artist draws truth from Trump’s face at hush money trial

Spectators also saw Trump dragging family members and MAGA Republican allies to stand behind him, sometimes even in matching blue blazers and red ties, in Manhattan criminal court.

While even Oscar-winner Robert De Niro made an appearance outside the courthouse, Trump's wife Melania was notably absent.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's criminal case, the first to go to trial, is one of four the former president faces.

Trump also stands accused of election racketeering in Georgia, election interference in Washington D.C., and Espionage Act violations in Florida.

In each, Trump has pleaded not guilty and raised the specter of a political witch hunt targeting President Joe Biden's chief political rival in the upcoming presidential election.

ALSO READ: Trump vs. history: Former presidents typically implode on their comeback tours

Jurors began deliberations on Wednesday.

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'For Trump?!' Leader of law firm that struck deal with president 'heckled' at big speech

Paul Weiss chairman Brad Karp was reportedly "heckled" during his speech at a New York Bar Foundation event on Friday, just seven months after striking a controversial deal with Donald Trump's administration.

Social media critics expressed outrage in March and accused a lawyer from the powerful law firm of "capitulating" to Trump. Trump withdrew an executive order that rescinded security clearances from the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison after Trump met with Karp, and they came to an agreement, with the firm pledging $40 million worth of pro bono legal services during Trump's presidency.

That outrage apparently hasn't died down, according to Law.com's reporting from a recent speech where there was protesting and heckling.

Quoting Karp as saying, "We were targeted by the current administration, in large part because of our lawyers high profile work on pro bono matters, we ultimately resolve that existential threat, and I'm proud to say that our pro bono work on critically important matters continues today," the outlet notes, "Karp's comments at the foundation's 75th anniversary event, however, did not go unchecked."

"Dozens of protesters lined the event's entrance at Gotham Hall in midtown Manhattan with 'No Kings' signs and other posters calling out Paul Weiss and other prominent firms that have struck deals with the Trump administration," the outlet reported. "One lone heckler in the ballroom also voiced their distaste with Karp’s decision and continuously yelled 'for Trump?' as Karp listed the firm's pro bono accomplishments, such as its pledge to devote $175 million toward pro bono work in 2025."

The report goes on to state that "New York Supreme Court Judge Cheryl E. Chambers, who is also president of the foundation, led the event with remarks about equity and inclusion in the practice of law. Other honorees at the event Friday included Morrison Foerster partner Carrie H. Cohen, Apollo Global Management Partner and Chief Legal Officer Whitney Chatterjee, New York Knicks captain Jalen Brunson and former U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch."

"Lynch's speech closed out the evening and highlighted the importance of the legal profession in the current political climate. While she did not mention Trump's name specifically, Lynch made multiple references to doubts plaguing the justice system's ability to hold leaders accountable, no matter their rank," according to the report.

Read the article here (subscription required).

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'Completely swindled': Regretful Trump voter flags evidence of president's 'betrayal'

A voter who chose Donald Trump in the 2024 election says he feels "completely swindled" by the president.

Morgen Mogus, chair of the Libertarian Party of Butler County in Pennsylvania, wrote a piece in USA Today published on Saturday called, "I voted for Trump. I feel completely swindled," in which he says, "If the 2024 presidential election were held today, I would sit it out. I am, however, extremely likely to vote in the upcoming 2026 midterm and the 2028 general elections."

In the new piece, Mogus states, "A year after the president election, I feel completely swindled."

"I am a Libertarian who voted for Donald Trump in 2024, the first time I ever voted for a Republican for president, because he made efforts to listen and address our concerns. He came to our national convention, promised to stay out of wars and slash government spending and useless programs with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. But none of it happened," according to Mogus.

The previous Trump voter added, "The only thing Trump did do was pardon Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, which I am very grateful for, but he has fallen completely flat on his face on all of his other promises."

"Now he is going after libertarians like Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Rand Paul, both representing Kentucky. A complete betrayal," he added.

He said he liked some of the early priorities in the administration, but that things took a turn.

"What DOGE found in terms of cuts was great, but right after that came the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and continuing resolutions that undid all of their progress by leaps and bounds," he wrote.

He added, "OBBB is one of the largest spending packages in recent U.S. history, from the candidate who ran on cutting wasteful spending and is going after Massie and Paul because they recognized it for what it was. What DOGE tried to do was great and am supportive of the spending cuts that did come of it, but the fallout of the OBBB put a damper on all the progress made. Musk rightfully called it an abomination."

Read the full letter here.

'Can of worms opened' as ex-Trump official flags 'Epstein connection you don't know about'

There is a "hidden Epstein connection you don't know about" and it's related to the shutdown, according to Donald Trump's previous white house communications chief.

Anthony Scaramucci, who previously said Trump was a grifter who "really wants to hurt people," flagged the purported connection in a video released on social media Saturday. Specifically, he seized on reports that the identity of the anonymous donor who gave $130 million to the Trump administration to pay troops amid the ongoing government shutdown was revealed to be reclusive billionaire Timothy Mellon, whose contribution, according to a report from The New York Times, would likely violate federal law.

According to Scaramucci, "Timothy Mellon gave $130 million to pay for the troops. Number one, is that even something we should be accepting or doing?"

Number two, he stated, is, "It turns out that his dad, Paul Mellon, is all over the Epstein flight logs, back and forth to Epstein island."

"So go ahead, square the circle for me," he added.

That's when podcast co-host Katty Kay said it "opens a whole can of worms."

"First of all, whether it's ok to take Tim Mellon's personal money to pay the troops," she said. "This $130 million, my understanding is it doesn't go terribly far to pay the troops, but it's clearly a huge, big donation. He's done it to make Donald Trump happy."

Regarding Paul Mellon potentially being on Epstein's "Lolita Express" plane, Kay added, "That has to be looked into."

"First of all, you have to verify that flight log," she said, before asking, "Is Tim Mellon in a position where he doesn't also want the Epstein files released because of something around his father?"

The Rest Is Politics US posted the video along with the caption, "The HIDDEN EPSTEIN CONNECTION You Don't Know About..."

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