‘No one is above the law’: Celebs, locals and the country react to Trump’s guilty verdict
NEW YORK — As news of Donald Trump’s historic guilty verdict spread online Thursday, many across the country celebrated the decision as a win for the justice system, while others continued to echo Trump’s claims of a “rigged trial.”
The former president was convicted on 34 charges of falsifying New York business records to cover up a hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in a scheme to silence claims of an affair that could have damaged his presidential campaign.
He now awaits his sentencing, scheduled for July 11.
“The dumb treacherous criminal is now a convicted felon — 34 times over. Now what will judge do with Trump contempt violations,” wrote actor John Cusack in a post to X.
“Convicted felon Donald Trump is blaming the judge, the jury and New York for being found guilty on 34 counts. He will never accept accountability for his crimes. Americans must not allow this felon anywhere near the White House again,” added Barbra Streisand in a post of her own.
The hashtag “Justice” and “NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW” were both top trending topics on X in the wake of the court’s decision.
“TRUMP IS GUILTY LMAO LOCK HIM UP,” another user said in a widely shared post with more than 11,000 likes.
“Finally the Tephlon (sic) Don has been held accountable! No one is above the law!,” wrote actor John Leguizamo.
Still, others questioned the impact of the decision and noted the hypocrisy in the legal system potentially still allowing Trump to run for president.
“In America, some felons can’t even vote, work or drive and Donald Trump is running for president after being found guilty,” said one X user.
“If a convicted felon can run for office, they all should be able to vote,” argued another.
In New York City, where the trial took place, some residents evidently took the moment to enjoy the news regardless.
“I don’t live far from the courthouse,” wrote singer-songwriter Bill Madden. “When the verdict was read, you could hear people in apartments screaming “Woohoo!” … people are high-fiving in the street.”
But some saw the trial the way Trump did, echoing his claims that it was rigged “by a conflicted judge who was corrupt,” as he told news cameras immediately following the verdict.
Misogynist influencer Andrew Tate, who faces rape and human trafficking charges in Romania, told his 9 million X followers, “Those who understand The Matrix know that ‘Justice’ has always been rigged. But now they just admitted it to the world.”
Many conservatives dramatically wrote “RIP America,” in response to the guilty verdict.
“The Democrats have succeeded in their years-long attempt to turn America into a third-world s–thole,” wrote Trump’s oldest son, Donald Trump Jr. “November 5 is our last chance to save it.”
“If they can do this, without any evidence, while clearly breaking the law, to a PRESIDENT, imagine what they can do to the little guys like us,” said another user.
“And just like that… A former President of the United States has been hounded and found guilty by biased Democrats. Now the Republicans will have to retaliate against Democrats when they regain power,” posted actor and comedian Rob Schneider, who added an appeal for “all Americans to refrain from violence.”
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