The day after being found guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records, former President Donald Trump spoke at Trump Tower, claiming he was innocent. He repeated false statements about his trial and complained about a gag order. Trump also said he wanted to testify but was advised against it.
Trump's speech mixed his defense with campaign messages, criticizing the court and President Joe Biden. He wrongly claimed the court was working with Biden and the Department of Justice (DOJ), although the case was handled by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg under New York state law, with no connection to the White House or DOJ.
Trump accused Judge Juan Merchan of being "highly conflicted," a claim without evidence. He also explained why he didn't testify, saying people are advised not to because any small mistake could lead to a perjury charge.
In his speech, Trump touched on various topics, including complaints about the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack investigation and his usual anti-immigration rhetoric.
A graphic showing the 34 counts against Trump:
- 11 counts for invoices for legal services
- 11 counts for checks paid for legal services
- 12 counts for ledger entries for legal expenses
Trump was the first president, former or current, to be found guilty of a crime. Legal experts suggest he might not face prison time for the New York conviction. If he doesn't, he can still vote this fall.
A small group of supporters cheered during Trump's speech. The previous night, a crowd outside Trump Tower chanted, "New York hates you."
After Trump's remarks, President Biden spoke about the verdict, saying it reaffirmed the American principle that no one is above the law. He pointed out it was a state trial, not a federal one, and that Trump can appeal the decision. Biden criticized Trump's claims that the case was rigged, calling such statements reckless and dangerous. He emphasized the importance of respecting the U.S. justice system, which he called the "cornerstone" of America.
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