Biden gets support online as his campaign banks on Trump's guilty verdict to raise funds

WASHINGTON DC: Following Donald Trump's conviction on May 30, both he and Joe Biden highlighted the significance of the upcoming November election, while Republicans quickly came to the defense of the former president.

“There’s only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: At the ballot box,” Biden posted on social media, providing a link to a fundraising page.

Trump, denouncing the prosecution in his New York hush money trial as a "disgrace," also alluded to the upcoming presidential election this fall.

“The real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people. And they know what happened here, and everybody knows what happened here,” Trump addressed the reporters outside the Manhattan courtroom.

Donald Trump's conviction sparks political campaigns

The conviction of Trump on 34 felony charges for falsifying business records has sent shockwaves through political campaigns at every level. Republican candidates, particularly those running for governor, Senate, and House positions, have largely aligned with Trump, CNN reported.

Meanwhile, Democrats have steered clear of the case's specifics, instead stating that justice has been served. Following the verdict, the former president's supporters on Capitol Hill mobilized quickly, with prominent Republicans criticizing the legal system, stressing the significance of the 2024 election, and launching their own fundraising campaign.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson denounced what he called “the weaponization of our justice system,” declaring in a statement that “President Trump will rightfully appeal this absurd verdict— and he WILL WIN.”

Johnson had traveled to the Manhattan courthouse during the trial to defend Trump.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, known for his chilly rapport with the former president, expressed in a brief statement, “These charges never should have been brought in the first place. I expect the conviction to be overturned on appeal.”

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise wrote on social media, “I won’t stand by while the leader of our party is ambushed by our own government. Will you stand with Trump before midnight tonight and condemn this witch hunt once and for all?” The Louisiana Republican included a link to a fundraising site.

Elise Stefanik and Tim Scott call out Trump's 'devastating sham trial'

The head of the House GOP Conference and prospective Trump running mate, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, denounced what she called a "sham trial."

“We must redouble our efforts and work around the clock to ensure President Trump is victorious this November to save America from Biden’s failed Far Left Democrat agenda,” she said in a statement.

Tim Scott of South Carolina, who may be Trump's running mate, asserted that the American legal system “hunts Republicans while protecting Democrats.”

“This was certainly a hoax, a sham. This was devastating for the average American watching,” Scott said to CNN's Abby Phillip on 'Newsnight.'

He went on, “Even the ‘Never-Trumpers’ are now calling and joining the team. Donors who sat on the sidelines are now joining the team because November 5 is a day of reckoning.”

Kari Lakes calls Trump's guilty verdict 'egregious' election interference

Republican contenders for the Senate swiftly adopted the former president's position. In a statement, Tim Sheehy, the Democratic opponent of Democratic Senator Jon Tester in Montana, referred to the case as "state-sponsored political persecution" and labeled the verdict as "RIGGED."

The Republican candidate for Arizona's Senate seat, Kari Lake, who is set to challenge Democratic candidate Rep Ruben Gallego, declared that voters had “just witnessed the most egregious example of election interference and an outright mockery of the rule of law in the 246-year history of our Republic. This entire process right down to the verdict itself has been nothing but a shameful political stunt.”

“This is a terrible day for America and for trust in our justice system,” Pennsylvania Republican Dave McCormick has announced his challenge to Democratic Senator Bob Casey. “This case should never have been brought in the first place, and this miscarriage of justice is despicable.”

Meanwhile, Democrats provided more subdued responses, with many refraining from commenting immediately following the verdict.

“I respect our justice system and the rule of law. The process played out, and we should always demand accountability from our elected leaders,” Gallego said on social media.

Larry Hogan calls Trump's guilty verdict a 'dangerously divided' moment

A few Republicans who have been harsher on Trump stayed away from him. Former governor of Maryland and Senate candidate in the historically blue state, Larry Hogan, urged people to "respect the verdict and the legal process" as soon as word leaked out that the jury had returned a verdict.

“At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leaders – regardless of party – must not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship,” Hogan made a statement prior to the announcement of the verdict.

The post prompted a succinct reply from Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to Trump, “You just ended your campaign.”

Internet says GOP is as 'desperate' as Trump

As soon as the news went viral on Facebook, users started sharing their opinions. A user wrote, "Guilty! Finally some justice against him! He needs to be put away so he can stop embarrassing our country!"

Another user added, "The GOP is as desperate as Trump, they have ruined the Republican party because they chose lies to truth. Truth Matters and always will. You people really should try it sometime. This Country is not going to let you Fascists take over."

The third commentator wrote, "I hope he is sentenced to jail. That would be the only fair thing."

Another Facebook user went on to say, "This is only the beginning they won’t allow Trump to win."

On the other hand, Trump's supporters are claiming that, "Trump will still be president your next president !!!!"

"I can't wait to vote for Trump again," one person commentated.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.