Former President Donald Trump has been convicted on 34 felony counts in a landmark hush money trial. The verdict came after more than nine hours of deliberation by a Manhattan jury, which found Trump guilty of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign.

Despite his conviction, the fight is far from over for Trump. The sentencing, scheduled for July 11, just days before the Republican nomination, poses the potential for a prison sentence. However, it remains uncertain whether the judge will impose imprisonment as punishment. The charge of falsifying business records is a Class E felony, punishable by up to four years in prison, but the judge retains discretion in determining the severity of the sentence.

Prosecutors have not revealed whether they will seek prison time for Trump. The judge may also consider the complexities of incarcerating a former president who is running to reclaim the White House. Other potential punishments include fines or probation, with the possibility that Trump may be allowed to defer serving any sentence until after exhausting his appeals.

While this conviction does not bar Trump from continuing his presidential campaign or running for presidency if elected, it raises questions about the impact on the upcoming election. Leading strategists from both parties believe that Trump remains a formidable candidate to defeat President Joe Biden, even in light of his conviction and the pending three separate criminal cases against him.

In the short term, the guilty verdict seems to have galvanized the Republican Party, with officials rallying behind Trump and a surge in fundraising reported within hours. Nevertheless, polling suggests that only a small percentage of Trump supporters would withdraw their backing if he were convicted, highlighting the deep political divisions in America.

Trump's legal team is already laying the groundwork for appeals, objecting to charges and rulings made during the trial. They may argue bias on the part of the judge, who refused to recuse himself despite his daughter's association with prominent Democrats. Additionally, the defense might raise issues related to the limitation of expert testimony and the admission of graphic testimony from Stormy Daniels.

The conviction reflects the jury's rejection of Trump's defense strategy, which sought to undermine the credibility of key witnesses, particularly his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who implicated Trump in the hush money scheme. The defense called only two witnesses, one of whom inadvertently provided damaging evidence of a pressure campaign aimed at keeping Cohen loyal to Trump.

Throughout the trial, Trump has publicly criticized the proceedings, portraying them as politically motivated and a rigged system. Despite a gag order that restricted his speech about certain individuals involved in the case, Trump has actively engaged with the court of public opinion and focused on the support of voters, who will ultimately determine his political fate.

The conviction marks a significant milestone in Trump's legal battles, but it is only the beginning of a potentially lengthy appellate process. The implications of this case, along with the pending criminal charges, remain uncertain in their impact on Trump's future political ambitions.