‘Get out of here b****’: Chaos outside courthouse amid Trump verdict
Donald Trump supporters were in tears outside the New York courthouse where the former president was handed his verdict.
World
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Emotional scenes have played out outside a New York courthouse where Donald Trump has been handed his verdict in his historic hush money trial.
Mr Trump has been found guilty of 34 counts of fraud by falsifying business records, marking the first time a former US president has ever been convicted of a crime.
He was accused of falsifying business records to cover up payments of $200,000 ($US130,000) to porn star Stormy Daniels.
The verdict sparked mixed reactions among demonstrators who gathered in a nearby park across the Manhattan courtroom.
Some Trump supporters were seen crying while others reportedly erupted into rage or stood silent.
One long-time Trump supporter claimed the verdict was “fake” and an “eight year set up”.
“He shouldn’t be locked up but if he is, Eric Trump for president,” he told the Daily Mail.
Another supporter claimed the verdict would only help Mr Trump’s re-election bid.
“Look at the corruption in our politics. This is nothing. I think it’s going to be overturned eventually,” she said.
“He’s not going to jail. He is going to be president by that time … I think this has helped his election chances.”
Meanwhile many others were seen celebrating the news, yelling “lock him up” and “USA” outside the courthouse, ABC News reports.
Others held signs reading “Trump is guilty” and “not above the law”.
Demonstrators later shouted “guilty” and booed Mr Trump when he arrived at Trump Tower where crowds gathered following the trial.
“Get out of here, b***!”
Chaos erupted earlier in the day when a Trump supporter was filmed yelling and ripping a sign out of a demonstrator’s hand before the verdict was read aloud.
“Transsexuals for Trump!” the Trump supporter yelled as she grabbed a sign that read “Do you hear Trump lying?”
“Knock her down! Get out of here, b***!” another Trump supporter yelled out.
Police appeared to step in and separate the pair.
Another scuffle broke out when a Trump supporter holding a “F*** Biden” sign confronted another demonstrator, according to Daily News.
“You’re a loser,” the demonstrator yelled.
“F*** out of here, you’re a loser!” the Trump supporter replied.
Another man holding up a pride Trump flag told the publication some protesters were spewing some “anti gay s***”.
“They were escorted out of here by police and now have the audacity to return, so we are not taking it anymore,” he said.
“We are not going to put up with that bulls – t from that side of the fence. If you thought January 6th was bad, wait until we get through with you, Biden.”
‘Rigged’ trial
Mr Trump gave brief comments to media outside the court, claiming the trial was “rigged” and a “disgrace”.
“This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who is corrupt,” he said.
“The real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people and they know what happened here and everybody knows what happened here.”
He insisted “we didn’t do anything wrong”.
“I’m a very innocent man and it’s OK, I’m fighting for our country, I’m fighting for our Constitution,” he said.
“This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound or hurt an opponent, a political opponent, and I think it’s just a disgrace and we’ll keep fighting. We’ll fight to the end and we’ll win.”
Mr Trump said the country “has gone to hell”.
“We don’t have the same country any more,” he said.
“We have a divided mess. We are a nation in decline, serious decline. Millions and millions of people pouring into our country right now from prisons and from mental institutions, terrorists. They are taking over our country. We have a country that’s in big trouble. But this was a rigged decision, right from day one with a conflicted judge who should have never been allowed to try this case. Never. And we will fight for our Constitution. This is long from over. Thank you very much.”
Trump is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, four days before the Republican National Convention, when the party will officially nominate him for President.
He faces a minimum of probation and a maximum of up to four years in prison.
Originally published as ‘Get out of here b****’: Chaos outside courthouse amid Trump verdict
Shock prediction from US election expert
The US election soothsayer, who correctly predicted the outcome of the last two elections, has said who he believes will win in November.
Famous election forecaster predicts Harris-Trump winner
The US’s top election forecaster – who has been wrong only once in 40 years – has a new prediction for the winner of the 2024 race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.