Former US president Donald Trump made history yet again after he was convicted by a New York court of scheming to illegally influence the 2016 elections that saw him get elected as President.
This has created an unprecedented situation in US electoral politics, as never before has a candidate for the elections been convicted of influencing elections. A conviction, however, does not bar Trump from running for office.
The verdict was read out in a New York court on Thursday, which found him guilty on 34 counts of influencing elections by paying hush money to an adult film actor who had claimed she had a sexual interaction with Trump. He was also convicted of falsifying business records to cover up that he had paid $130,000 in hush money. He also paid others from publishing the story.
The verdict was read out after the jury deliberated for over nine hours.
He will be formally sentenced on July 11, days before the Republican National Convention unveils its front runner for US president. It is unclear if his sentencing will include jail time for the fudged business records.
Trump was calm in the court as the verdict was read out, but outside the court, he told the media that the trial was "rigged" and "disgraceful". He is still looking to contest and secure victory in US presidential elections scheduled for November 5, 2024.
This is not the only case Trump is embroiled in. He has been indicted for at least three other felonies.
What makes Trump's case unique is that while there have been US presidents whose political careers have ended due to convictions, he has ridden political and legal action against him.