Former President Trump told Fox News Digital that his guilty verdict is a “scar” on the New York justice system, but he promised to “keep fighting” and said Election Day will be “the most important day in the history of our country.”
Trump, who is the leading Republican candidate for president, was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records.
This decision came after a two-day jury deliberation in a case led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Trump said it was “a sad day for New York and a sad day for the country.” He claimed the trial was unfair from the start, blaming the venue and the judge.
Trump said he was met by thousands of supporters when he returned to Trump Tower in Manhattan.
Trump criticized Judge Juan Merchan, saying the judge was “conflicted,” and called the trial venue in Lower Manhattan “about as bad as it could possibly be.”
He argued that a fair trial was impossible and called the situation “a disgrace to the city, the state, and the country.”
Despite the verdict, Trump emphasized that he has “never had support like I have now.”
He is scheduled for sentencing on July 11, just before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where he is expected to be nominated as the Republican candidate for president.
Trump said he will ask to change the sentencing date but expects the judge to refuse. He vowed to “keep fighting” and said November 5th will be a crucial day for the country.
He expressed his eagerness to return to the campaign trail, noting it was his first time out of the courthouse in six weeks.
Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that despite being in court for more than eight hours a day for six weeks, Trump is still winning.
She said he generated a lot of media coverage, held rallies, and increased his lead over President Biden in the polls. She claimed the trial made him stronger.