Targeting Michael Cohen, his former lawyer and the key witness
Trump turns his attention to his former lawyer and key prosecution witness Michael Cohen.
"I never thought of him as a fixer," Trump says. "He was a lawyer, and he was a fairly good."
"Later on I didn't like what he did."
"I didn't like that when I became president he went around and made deals with companies. When I heard that, he was gone," Trump says.
Trump says he's honoured to be involved in the case
The hush-money case should have been a "non-case", Trump says, blaming Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for bringing it to court.
Trump again decries the case and the ruling, calling it a "very sad thing that's happening to our country".
But, Trump says, he's "honoured to be involved".
"Not that it's pleasant," he says. "But in a way I'm honoured, because somebody's got to... I might as well keep going and be involved."
'It's not hush money'
Trump's now defending non-disclosure agreements, or NDAs.
He describes NDAs as honourable, accepted and something "everybody has".
But Trump blames the press for calling the NDA he had with Stormy Daniels hush-money: "It's not hush money, it's a non-disclosure agreement".
"Totally legal, totally common," he adds.
He was convicted not for paying the hush money or signing an NDA, but for how recorded the reimbursement to Michael Cohen for that payment in the Trump Organization's books.
Worried about going to prison at age 77
Trump is now talking about the potential threat of going to prison at his age.
"Normally I'd say that's an old guy, but I don't feel 77," he says.
While it is possible he could be sentenced to a short prison term at a hearing on July 11, he could also be given a fine, probation or supervised release.
Trump brings up familiar criticisms, including 'witch hunt'
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
The former president has returned to his well-trodden refrain, calling the New York case politically motivated and a "witch hunt".
He criticises the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and Justice Juan Merchan - both frequent targets of the former president.
We've heard much of this criticism from Trump before.
'This is bigger than me' Trump says
Trump says he's not the only New Yorker whose business records could stir up legal trouble.
The former president says if he went through the business records of "anyone in this city" he could find things that prosecutors might not like.
"This is bigger than Trump, bigger than me, bigger than my presidency," he says.
One of New York's most famous businesspeople, Trump also must pay more than $350 million in a separate civil case brought by the state.
'I would have testified' but lawyers advised against
Trump says he would have liked to testify during his trial, though he did not take the stand.
"Now I would have testified, I wanted to testify," he says, implying his lawyers encouraged him not to.
"As soon as you testify.... they'll get you on something you said slightly wrong and then they'll get you for perjury. But I didn't care, I wanted to."
"I would have loved to have testified, to this day i would have liked to have testified."
It is not unusual for defendants to not take the stand, legal experts have told the BBC.
Trump repeats claim of 'rigged' trial
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Trump is jumping back and forth between his New York trial and more general complaints about New York and the US.
Repeating a common refrain that the trial was "rigged", Trump says his team was treated unfairly by the judge.
"We wanted a venue change, were denied... we wanted a judge change, we were denied," he says.
Calling the Manhattan District Attorney "corrupt", Trump then decries the "rampant" crime in New York, recalling a recent attack in a McDonald's there.
Trump says witnesses on his side were crucified
In his remarks Trump claimed some of the witnesses on his side were "literally crucified". The former president then goes on to reference a "certain witness" who went through "hell". While he does not specify who he's talking about, it's likely lawyer Robert Costello, who was heavily reprimanded by Justice Juan Merchan for groaning when objections were sustained.
Trump's defence team only called two witnesses - Costello and a paralegal.
Trump repeats attacks on judge, and gag orders
Trump hits out at the "nasty" gag order imposed by Justice Juan Merchan, complaining of being "threatened with jail."
"I've had to pay thousands of doallars in penalities and fines," Trump says.
"I'm the leading person for president and I'm under a gag order by a man that can't put two sentences together," he says, appearing to reference Merchan.
The judge had blocked Trump from talking about a variety of people, including Merchan's family. But the gag order did not apply to talking about Merchan himself.
'If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone'
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Former President Trump has begun his remarks - arriving not down the iconic escalator, but instead out of some elevators.
He starts by referring to his felony conviction and saying if "they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone", and confirms he will appeal.
He quickly pivots to more of a campaign pitch, decrying the country's immigration system and the "sick" people trying to enter the US.
Trump turns to his political rival, Joe Biden who, he says, is "destroying the country".
Trump speaking now in New York
Donald Trump is at the lectern inside Trump Tower in New York.
Stay tuned while we bring you all the live lines from his press conference.
You can also watch live by pressing play at the top of this page.
Donald Trump will be arriving shortly
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The moment in 2015 when Trump rode the escalator down to the lobby of Trump Tower in New York to announce his candidacyImage caption: The moment in 2015 when Trump rode the escalator down to the lobby of Trump Tower in New York to announce his candidacy
We're probably about to see Donald Trump come down the famous escalator at Trump Tower.
It's been nine years since he glided down the escalator and announced his presidential ambitions in a speech that changed the trajectory of US political history.
At the time, he was the 12th Republican presidential candidate to announce their candidacy and many doubted the wide-spread appeal of then-candidate Trump.
But as we all know that support grew enough for him to be elected president.
Thanks for all your questions
Donald Trump is expected to hold a news conference at Trump Tower in New York shortly - you will be able to watch it live by clicking play at the top of this page.
Your questionsanswered
Can Trump be sentenced to prison?
Holly Honderich
Michael in the US asks: Can he be sentenced to jail and not get out until he wins his appeal?
Technically yes, Donald Trump can be sentenced to prison.
The 34 charges the Republican faced are all class E felonies in New York, the lowest tier in the state. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of four years.
Still, there are several reasons why Justice Juan Merchan may choose a lesser punishment like a fine, probation or supervision, including Trump’s age (77), the fact that he’s a first-time felon - and even perhaps the fact that he’s a former president.
But Trump is likely to appeal - a process that could take months or even longer - and a prison sentence would likely be delayed while this plays out.
In the meantime, Trump is likely to remain free on his own recognizance, or on bail.
Your questionsanswered
Are convicted felons allowed to vote in Florida?
Holly Honderich
Ian Simpson in Scotland asks: Are convicted felons allowed to vote in Florida?
It’s a little bit confusing but in Trump’s case yes, he will likely be able to vote this autumn.
Under Florida law - where Trump is a resident - a person with a felony conviction in the state will lose their right to vote, though that right may be restored after they have completed their sentence.
But a Florida resident with a felony conviction in another state, like Trump, is ineligible to vote only "if the conviction would make the person ineligible to vote in the state where the person was convicted".
Trump was convicted in New York, where felons are allowed to vote as long as they are not currently incarcerated.
This means that unless Trump is behind bars on 5 November, he should be eligible to cast his ballot.
Who is Alvin Bragg?
Ana Faguy
US reporter
Video content
Video caption: 'I did my job': Manhattan District Attorney speaks after Donald Trump verdict'I did my job': Manhattan District Attorney speaks after Donald Trump verdict
Alvin Bragg is the New York County district attorney who brought the case against Trump.
In 2021 he became the first black man elected to the job, and since his tenure's begun he's been party to a handful of high-profile cases including leading New York's lawsuit against disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein.
Last year Bragg became the first prosecutor to bring criminal charges against a president.
Despite heavy public criticism, from Trump and his allies, Bragg has stood by the prosecutors' case.
At a press conference with fellow prosecutors, after the verdict was read, Bragg thanked his team for their work "following the facts and the law".
Let's take a brief pause from some questions to take you back onto the street outside Trump Tower in Manhattan.
Barricades are going up and some Trump supporters are joining the dozens of media crews lining the sidewalks of Fifth Avenue.
With less than an hour to go until Trump speaks, the frenzy - at least outside - seems to be picking up.
BBCCopyright: BBC
BBCCopyright: BBC
BBCCopyright: BBC
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Your questionsanswered
Would Trump's legal team take his appeal to the Supreme Court?
Anthony Zurcher
BBC North America correspondent
Mark Doyle asks: Could Donald Trump take his case to the Supreme Court, where there is a
Conservative majority bench, to overturn the New York convictions?
Donald Trump has already hinted that he plans to appeal his
felony conviction, although his lawyers have yet to spell out the grounds for
such a move.
Because this conviction came in state court, the first few
rounds would play out in the New York appellate system. Trump’s team could
challenge a variety of decisions made by Justice Juan Merchan on what
testimony to permit and evidence to allow during the trial, as well as
Merchan’s decision not to recuse himself because of alleged bias.
After all this plays out in New York courts, Trump could
then turn to the US Supreme Court, although he would have to cite grounds for
its involvement.
Federal courts typically try to stay out of state court
decisions unless they involve issues of federal or constitutional law. Trump’s
teams could assert that the former president’s constitutional rights were
infringed during his trial.
Of course, as members of the highest court in America, the
Supreme Court justices can always find a reason to consider the case and there
would be no one or no institution to second guess that decision. It only takes
four of the nine to put a case on the court’s docket.
So don’t be surprised if this case ultimately ends up there
months or even years from now. And remember, Trump’s sentence could also be on hold until
then.
Your questionsanswered
What's the likely outcome of Trump's sentencing?
Madeline Halpert
Reporting from New York
An online submission from courtland_rogers_krick’s asks: What is the likely outcome of Donald Trump’s
sentencing?
New
York Justice Juan Merchan has an enormous decision on his hands. As of now, he
will sentence Trump for his felony conviction on 11 July.
Legal experts say there are
multiple options for sentencing. On the one hand, Trump has been convicted of
the lowest-level felony and he is a first-time, non-violent offender in his late 70s.
This makes prison time
unlikely.
On the other hand, Justice
Merchan may feel pressure to show that no one - including a former president -
is above the law, so Trump receiving a sentence of time behind bars is not
impossible.
It would be a massive
logistical challenge, however, as Trump would be entitled to Secret Service
protection even in prison.
Live Reporting
Edited by Lisa Lambert
All times stated are UK
Get involved
Targeting Michael Cohen, his former lawyer and the key witness
Trump turns his attention to his former lawyer and key prosecution witness Michael Cohen.
"I never thought of him as a fixer," Trump says. "He was a lawyer, and he was a fairly good."
"Later on I didn't like what he did."
"I didn't like that when I became president he went around and made deals with companies. When I heard that, he was gone," Trump says.
Trump says he's honoured to be involved in the case
The hush-money case should have been a "non-case", Trump says, blaming Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for bringing it to court.
Trump again decries the case and the ruling, calling it a "very sad thing that's happening to our country".
But, Trump says, he's "honoured to be involved".
"Not that it's pleasant," he says. "But in a way I'm honoured, because somebody's got to... I might as well keep going and be involved."
'It's not hush money'
Trump's now defending non-disclosure agreements, or NDAs.
He describes NDAs as honourable, accepted and something "everybody has".
But Trump blames the press for calling the NDA he had with Stormy Daniels hush-money: "It's not hush money, it's a non-disclosure agreement".
"Totally legal, totally common," he adds.
He was convicted not for paying the hush money or signing an NDA, but for how recorded the reimbursement to Michael Cohen for that payment in the Trump Organization's books.
Worried about going to prison at age 77
Trump is now talking about the potential threat of going to prison at his age.
"Normally I'd say that's an old guy, but I don't feel 77," he says.
While it is possible he could be sentenced to a short prison term at a hearing on July 11, he could also be given a fine, probation or supervised release.
Trump brings up familiar criticisms, including 'witch hunt'
The former president has returned to his well-trodden refrain, calling the New York case politically motivated and a "witch hunt".
He criticises the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and Justice Juan Merchan - both frequent targets of the former president.
We've heard much of this criticism from Trump before.
'This is bigger than me' Trump says
Trump says he's not the only New Yorker whose business records could stir up legal trouble.
The former president says if he went through the business records of "anyone in this city" he could find things that prosecutors might not like.
"This is bigger than Trump, bigger than me, bigger than my presidency," he says.
One of New York's most famous businesspeople, Trump also must pay more than $350 million in a separate civil case brought by the state.
'I would have testified' but lawyers advised against
Trump says he would have liked to testify during his trial, though he did not take the stand.
"Now I would have testified, I wanted to testify," he says, implying his lawyers encouraged him not to.
"As soon as you testify.... they'll get you on something you said slightly wrong and then they'll get you for perjury. But I didn't care, I wanted to."
"I would have loved to have testified, to this day i would have liked to have testified."
It is not unusual for defendants to not take the stand, legal experts have told the BBC.
Trump repeats claim of 'rigged' trial
Trump is jumping back and forth between his New York trial and more general complaints about New York and the US.
Repeating a common refrain that the trial was "rigged", Trump says his team was treated unfairly by the judge.
"We wanted a venue change, were denied... we wanted a judge change, we were denied," he says.
Calling the Manhattan District Attorney "corrupt", Trump then decries the "rampant" crime in New York, recalling a recent attack in a McDonald's there.
Trump says witnesses on his side were crucified
In his remarks Trump claimed some of the witnesses on his side were "literally crucified". The former president then goes on to reference a "certain witness" who went through "hell". While he does not specify who he's talking about, it's likely lawyer Robert Costello, who was heavily reprimanded by Justice Juan Merchan for groaning when objections were sustained.
Trump's defence team only called two witnesses - Costello and a paralegal.
Trump repeats attacks on judge, and gag orders
Trump hits out at the "nasty" gag order imposed by Justice Juan Merchan, complaining of being "threatened with jail."
"I've had to pay thousands of doallars in penalities and fines," Trump says.
"I'm the leading person for president and I'm under a gag order by a man that can't put two sentences together," he says, appearing to reference Merchan.
The judge had blocked Trump from talking about a variety of people, including Merchan's family. But the gag order did not apply to talking about Merchan himself.
'If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone'
Former President Trump has begun his remarks - arriving not down the iconic escalator, but instead out of some elevators.
He starts by referring to his felony conviction and saying if "they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone", and confirms he will appeal.
He quickly pivots to more of a campaign pitch, decrying the country's immigration system and the "sick" people trying to enter the US.
Trump turns to his political rival, Joe Biden who, he says, is "destroying the country".
Trump speaking now in New York
Donald Trump is at the lectern inside Trump Tower in New York.
Stay tuned while we bring you all the live lines from his press conference.
You can also watch live by pressing play at the top of this page.
Donald Trump will be arriving shortly
We're probably about to see Donald Trump come down the famous escalator at Trump Tower.
It's been nine years since he glided down the escalator and announced his presidential ambitions in a speech that changed the trajectory of US political history.
At the time, he was the 12th Republican presidential candidate to announce their candidacy and many doubted the wide-spread appeal of then-candidate Trump.
But as we all know that support grew enough for him to be elected president.
Thanks for all your questions
Donald Trump is expected to hold a news conference at Trump Tower in New York shortly - you will be able to watch it live by clicking play at the top of this page.
Can Trump be sentenced to prison?
Holly Honderich
Michael in the US asks: Can he be sentenced to jail and not get out until he wins his appeal?
Technically yes, Donald Trump can be sentenced to prison.
The 34 charges the Republican faced are all class E felonies in New York, the lowest tier in the state. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of four years.
Still, there are several reasons why Justice Juan Merchan may choose a lesser punishment like a fine, probation or supervision, including Trump’s age (77), the fact that he’s a first-time felon - and even perhaps the fact that he’s a former president.
But Trump is likely to appeal - a process that could take months or even longer - and a prison sentence would likely be delayed while this plays out.
In the meantime, Trump is likely to remain free on his own recognizance, or on bail.
Are convicted felons allowed to vote in Florida?
Holly Honderich
Ian Simpson in Scotland asks: Are convicted felons allowed to vote in Florida?
It’s a little bit confusing but in Trump’s case yes, he will likely be able to vote this autumn.
Under Florida law - where Trump is a resident - a person with a felony conviction in the state will lose their right to vote, though that right may be restored after they have completed their sentence.
But a Florida resident with a felony conviction in another state, like Trump, is ineligible to vote only "if the conviction would make the person ineligible to vote in the state where the person was convicted".
Trump was convicted in New York, where felons are allowed to vote as long as they are not currently incarcerated.
This means that unless Trump is behind bars on 5 November, he should be eligible to cast his ballot.
Who is Alvin Bragg?
Ana Faguy
US reporter
Video content
Alvin Bragg is the New York County district attorney who brought the case against Trump.
In 2021 he became the first black man elected to the job, and since his tenure's begun he's been party to a handful of high-profile cases including leading New York's lawsuit against disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein.
Last year Bragg became the first prosecutor to bring criminal charges against a president.
Despite heavy public criticism, from Trump and his allies, Bragg has stood by the prosecutors' case.
At a press conference with fellow prosecutors, after the verdict was read, Bragg thanked his team for their work "following the facts and the law".
"I did my job", he added.
Read more about Bragg here.
Back out on Fifth Avenue in New York...
Let's take a brief pause from some questions to take you back onto the street outside Trump Tower in Manhattan.
Barricades are going up and some Trump supporters are joining the dozens of media crews lining the sidewalks of Fifth Avenue.
With less than an hour to go until Trump speaks, the frenzy - at least outside - seems to be picking up.
Would Trump's legal team take his appeal to the Supreme Court?
Anthony Zurcher
BBC North America correspondent
Mark Doyle asks: Could Donald Trump take his case to the Supreme Court, where there is a Conservative majority bench, to overturn the New York convictions?
Donald Trump has already hinted that he plans to appeal his felony conviction, although his lawyers have yet to spell out the grounds for such a move.
Because this conviction came in state court, the first few rounds would play out in the New York appellate system. Trump’s team could challenge a variety of decisions made by Justice Juan Merchan on what testimony to permit and evidence to allow during the trial, as well as Merchan’s decision not to recuse himself because of alleged bias.
After all this plays out in New York courts, Trump could then turn to the US Supreme Court, although he would have to cite grounds for its involvement.
Federal courts typically try to stay out of state court decisions unless they involve issues of federal or constitutional law. Trump’s teams could assert that the former president’s constitutional rights were infringed during his trial.
Of course, as members of the highest court in America, the Supreme Court justices can always find a reason to consider the case and there would be no one or no institution to second guess that decision. It only takes four of the nine to put a case on the court’s docket.
So don’t be surprised if this case ultimately ends up there months or even years from now. And remember, Trump’s sentence could also be on hold until then.
What's the likely outcome of Trump's sentencing?
Madeline Halpert
Reporting from New York
An online submission from courtland_rogers_krick’s asks: What is the likely outcome of Donald Trump’s sentencing?
New York Justice Juan Merchan has an enormous decision on his hands. As of now, he will sentence Trump for his felony conviction on 11 July.
Legal experts say there are multiple options for sentencing. On the one hand, Trump has been convicted of the lowest-level felony and he is a first-time, non-violent offender in his late 70s.
This makes prison time unlikely.
On the other hand, Justice Merchan may feel pressure to show that no one - including a former president - is above the law, so Trump receiving a sentence of time behind bars is not impossible.
It would be a massive logistical challenge, however, as Trump would be entitled to Secret Service protection even in prison.