Editorial: Guilt could cost untrustworthy Donald Trump votes

Even by the standards we have come to expect of Trump, the decision of the jury, after two days of deliberation, to find him guilty on all 34 felony counts loses little of its ability to astound. Sentencing has been set for July 11, days before the Republican Party is to formally nominate Trump for president ahead of the November 5 election.

The crime of falsifying business documents carries a maximum sentence of four years in ­prison, though those convicted often receive shorter sentences, fines or probation.

Even were he to be jailed — and that outcome is not expected — incarceration would not legally prevent him from campaigning or taking office should he win. The verdict plunges the US into unexplored territory ahead of the November vote, when Trump will try to win back the White House from Joe Biden.

In February, this newspaper said it was difficult to escape the conclusion that Biden, a remark­able politician and thoroughly decent man, should stand aside as the Democrats’ presumptive candidate. That did not happen.

Our call followed the publication of a worrying report on his handling of classified documents that also raised legitimate issues about his age and mental fitness.

Biden, who would be 86 were he to see out a second term, is only four years older than Trump, but that is where comparisons between the two men end. After his conviction last week, Trump continued to deny wrongdoing and said he would appeal. The truth is that judgment on Trump came a long time ago.

The entire affair was a tawdry business unbecoming of the office of President of the United States

An opinion poll in this newspaper today finds the vast majority of people in Ireland would overwhelmingly support Biden ahead of Trump: 61pc support Biden against a mere 16pc for Trump, a fall of four points for the former president since last we polled the public in February.

In the US, polls show the two candidates locked in a tight race, but the guilty verdict could cost Trump some support among independent and Republican voters.

The case had been widely regarded as the least consequential of the four criminal prosecutions he faces. But the verdict looms large now as it is likely to be the only one before the election, with the others delayed by procedural challenges.

Former fixer Michael Cohen testified that Trump had approved a $130,000 (€120,000) hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels in the final weeks of the 2016 election, at a time when Trump faced multiple accusations of sexual misbehaviour that could have resulted in him losing the election. The jury accepted testimony that Trump handled the payment and approved a plan to reimburse Cohen through monthly payments disguised as legal work.

The entire affair was a tawdry business un­becoming of the office of President of the United States. For all his shortcomings — and his mental and physical health permitting — Biden can be trusted to at least hold the reins for four more years. Trust is not a word that can be applied to Trump, in any context.