Reactions across the political world and beyond came pouring in Thursday after former President Donald Trump was found guilty of all 34 felony counts against him in the New York hush money trial, becoming the first U.S. leader to be a convicted felon.
Outside the courthouse, relieved cheers were mixed with frustrated screams as "Trump 2024" and American flags waved among each other. And on social media, many stayed within party — or family — lines to express their thoughts.
After Trump himself said the "real verdict" would come Nov. 5, calling himself a "very innocent man" who was convicted only because of the Biden administration, his son, Donald Trump Jr. also blamed Democrats for the trial and its end, saying in a post on X, "The Democrats have succeeded in their years-long attempt to turn America into a third-world s***hole."
Guilty on all counts. The Democrats have succeeded in their years long attempt to turn America into a third-world shithole. November 5 is our last chance to save it.
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 30, 2024
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson appeared to feel similarly, calling it a "shameful day in American history" and a "purely political exercise, not a legal one."
My statement on President Trump trial verdict:
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) May 30, 2024
Today is a shameful day in American history. Democrats cheered as they convicted the leader of the opposing party on ridiculous charges, predicated on the testimony of a disbarred, convicted felon. This was a purely political…
