➡️ NPR’s Andrea Bernstein was sitting in the front of the courtroom and told Up First that Trump was “visibly unhappy” with the verdict. Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Trump denounced the trial as a “disgrace” and said “the real verdict is going to be Nov. 5 by the people.” Bernstein adds that this time is different: Trump used his money and power to silence people and avoid consequences, a strategy that always worked for him—until yesterday. ➡️ The jury heard from 22 witnesses over the course of four weeks, and examined evidence including phone records, invoices and checks to Michael Cohen, Trump’s former “fixer” who paid Daniels to bury the news of her sexual encounter with Trump. ➡️ Kim Wehle, a law professor at the University of Baltimore, says this evidence, along with the fact that “the defense didn’t give an alternative narrative” is ultimately what convicted Trump. The charges carry a sentence of anywhere from probation to up to four years in prison,but legal experts told NPR that it's unlikely Trump will face incarceration. ➡️ Lauren-Brooke Eisen, a senior director at the nonprofit Brennan Center for Justice, told NPR's Ximena Bustillobefore the trial's conclusion that it's "very unlikely for someone who has never been convicted of a crime to go to prison... for their first offense, which is nonviolent." ➡️ Trump’s legal team is also likely to appeal the verdict, which would further delay any potential consequences.
Trump’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11,just four days before the start of the Republican National Convention, where he is set to become the official presidential nominee for the Republican Party.
➡️ 17% of voters said the verdict would impact whether they vote for Trump,according to the latest NPR poll. NPR’s Scott Detrow points out on Up First that could be “a lot, considering how close the last few elections have been.” ➡️ How Americans vote will also affect the two federal criminal cases Trump is facing. “If Trump becomes president, he can pardon himself of the charges or derail the investigation,” Detrow said. ➡️ Trump himself will still be able to vote in the election, despite being a convicted felon. This is because he’s registered to vote in Florida, which defers to voting laws for felons in the state in which they were convicted. ➡️ The Biden campaign emphasized the need for people to vote to keep Trump out of office. | 
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