Donald Trump, defiant as ever, railing against the dubious history
he's made as the first former president convicted of felonies.
If they can do this to me,
they can do this to anyone.
As supporters outside Trump Tower flew a flag reading Trump
or Death Inside,
Mr. Trump insisted he'd wanted to take the stand in
his own defense.
He had the choice and chose not to.
I wanted to testify. The theory is you never testify
'cause as soon as you test for anybody,
if it were George Washington,
don't testify 'cause he'll get you on something that you
said slightly wrong.
Then a laundry list of false claims,
grudges and grievances, including against the Democratic prosecutor who won
the case against him.
It's a very sad thing that's happening in our country.
And it's a
it's a thing that I'm honored.
In a way, I'm honored because somebody has to do
it and I might as well keep going and be
the one.
The verdict galvanizing the GOP behind him.
The Trump campaign saying they raised a massive $35 million
online in the hours after the conviction came down.
And with Republicans rallying around him,
there's virtually no chance he'll be kicked off the presidential
ticket.
This was a political smear job.
This was an attack job.
This is what you see in banana republics.
I think Trump benefits from this.
I think they elected president last night.
I do believe the Supreme Court should step in.
Very few breaking ranks, not even Mike Pence,
who's refused to endorse his former running mate,
calling the conviction a disservice to the nation.
Democrats disagree. The American principle that no one is above
the law was reaffirmed.
President Biden, who's kept his distance from Mr.
Trump's legal problems, speaking today from the White House.
It's reckless, it's dangerous, It's irresponsible for anyone to say
this was rigged
just because they don't like the verdict.
The justice system should be respected and
we should never allow anyone to tear it down.
One New York Democrat dancing in celebration on TikTok after
the verdict.
Others arguing the conviction shows the system worked.
I felt
some relief and vindication for the rule of law.
The verdict unprecedented, its impact unclear in a race already
unpredictable.
Do you think this conviction helps Trump
in the election?
Only about 3 in 10 voters in key battlegrounds say
they've been following Mr.
Trump's legal issues closely. I don't even know what he's
got convicted for.
Some 10 to 20% of independents suggest they'd be less
likely to vote for Mr.
Trump if convicted, even as 2/3 of all voters say
a guilty verdict wouldn't make a difference.
A hypothetical before, but a reality now for voters in
battleground states.
My immediate response was finally,
accountability. I believe Mr. Trump
has broken the law. I think it's been a witch
hunt since the very beginning.
Hallie joining me here in the studio.
The former president sentencing is going to come at a
very critical moment.
That's right, Lester, just four days before the start of
the Republican convention where he's expected to accept the nomination.
And once he does, a US official tells NBC News
despite Mr.
Trump's conviction, he is still likely to receive those intelligence
briefings traditional for presidential nominees.