Initial reactions nationwide to former President Donald J. Trump’s conviction on all 34 counts of falsifying business records.
Americans were still digesting the news on Thursday evening that Donald J. Trump, the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee, had just become the first former president to be found guilty of felony. But Mr. Trump’s conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records to silence a porn star’s account of a sexual liaison with him was reverberating quickly.
Here’s what people had to say across the country.
John, 60, Manhattan
“He’s a businessman and hush money happens all the time,” he said. “It’s what people in these offices do all the time, so why didn’t it happen to them?
Malcolm Jake, 23, Durham, N.C.
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It was “embarrassing for our country” to have a former president be found guilty, he said. “I don’t think it’s going to hurt his election chances. But it’s a bad look — for everyone.”
Ashley, 38, Los Angeles
“My first initial thought was joy, because it’s been going on for so long, just waiting for some sort of justice,” she said.
“But I feel a little amazed, when I looked it up, that he actually can still run for president now that he’s been convicted for 34 felonies. Like you can get denied for regular-Joe jobs, but you can be president for 34 felonies. It’s kind of crazy. But I’m hoping we’re moving in a good direction.”
Columba, 76, San Antonio
“It’s full of crap. I’m not a Democrat. I’m not a Republican. I vote for the person. This won’t change my mind because I don’t think he broke the law,” she said. “Trump has always been an open book. He has nothing to hide.”
Regina, Scottsdale, Ariz.
“I’m glad to see it,” she said, referring to the verdict. But she wondered: “Are they going to lock him up, though?”
Rusty, 35, Vidor, Texas
“I was disappointed that he was found guilty,” he said. “Man, you know, I think like anything else in this country, it was very politicized. I also feel like you can’t get a fair trial by jury if all your jurors think the same way.
