Former US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that his recent criminal trial and conviction have been “very hard” for his wife, former First Lady Melania Trump. During an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Trump stated that he is “fine” following the verdict, but revealed that it has been more difficult for his family members, particularly his wife. He added that while Melania Trump is coping with the situation, she still has to read all of the negative press surrounding the trial.
The six-week trial in Manhattan resulted in Trump’s conviction on May 30 for falsifying business records as part of a payment plan meant to cover up allegations made during the 2016 election campaign. The former president pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing. Several members of Trump’s family attended the trial, but Melania did not make an appearance.
Despite his conviction, President Trump remains free on bail pending a sentencing hearing scheduled for July 11. This comes just four days before the start of the Republican National Convention, where he is expected to be officially nominated as the Republican Party’s presidential candidate. If Trump were to win the November election while incarcerated, it would not prevent him from campaigning or taking office.
The jury found President Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying documents related to payments made to pornographic performer Stormy Daniels in the final days of his successful 2016 presidential campaign. Although falsifying business records is typically a misdemeanor in New York, prosecutors elevated the case to a felony charge on the grounds that Trump was concealing an illegal campaign contribution. However, the former president was not charged with any crimes related to the alleged illicit election-related contributions.
Following his conviction, President Trump vowed to appeal the verdict and criticized the judge presiding over the case, Justice Juan Merchan, as well as the Manhattan District Attorney’s office that brought the charges against him. Trump called the trial “a scam” and a “rigged judge,” accusing the prosecutors of having political motivations for bringing the case against him.
In response to Trump’s statements, the Biden campaign released a statement saying that the former president is “consumed by his own thirst for revenge and retribution.” The statement went on to say that Trump’s recent actions demonstrate that he cannot be president of the United States, accusing him of being consumed by personal grievances and dishonest about the American justice system.