Trump vows to ‘keep fighting’, saying ‘our country has gone to hell’

Live updates from New York from The Telegraph

Donald Trump hit out at his “rigged trial” and vowed to “keep fighting” after being convicted on all counts in his New York “hush money” trial.

He has become the first former president to be convicted of a crime, after the jury of 12 New Yorkers took nine and a half hours to convict him on all 34 counts.

Trump, 77, now faces potential jail time over his convictions for covering up payments to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, to buy her silence over an alleged affair.

The former president looked furious as he left the courtroom and declared he was a “very innocent man” as he spoke to the media gathered outside.

Repeatedly lashing out at Juan Merchan, who presided over the case, as a “conflicted” judge, he claimed: “This was a rigged disgraceful trial.”

“The real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people,” he said, referring to the date of the presidential election. A criminal conviction does not disqualify him from running for president or taking office if elected.

“We didn’t do a thing wrong. I’m a very innocent man… our whole country is being rigged right now.”

He concluded: “We will fight for our Constitution. This is far from over.”

Trump is almost certain to appeal his conviction, which does not disqualify him from running for office or serving as president if elected.

He will be sentenced by Judge Juan Merchan at a later date. The most severe punishment he can receive is four years in prison for each count, which would likely run concurrently, although experts believe a non-custodial sentence is more likely. Mr Trump will be sentenced on 11 July at 10am