Former U.S. President Donald Trump is seen on a news camera screen as he addresses the media outside a New York court on May 2. IMAGE | GETTY IMAGES
In Summary:
- Trump’s conviction has drawn significant international media coverage, eliciting a range of reactions.
- Global perspectives vary from criticism to support, reflecting broader geopolitical dynamics.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump was convicted by a New York jury on Thursday of felony charges for falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to an adult film star, aiming to illegally influence the 2016 election.
The verdict, which found the presumptive Republican presidential nominee guilty on all 34 charges, sent political shockwaves through the United States as the 2024 election cycle gains momentum.
This historic court case also captivated readers worldwide. Here’s a roundup of international reactions to the verdict.
Germany:
The news dominated German and European newspapers, frequently making front-page headlines. Many outlets focused more on how the guilty verdict would mobilize Trump’s supporters than on the historic nature of the conviction itself.
The Frankfurter Allgemeine simply stated: “Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.” Der Spiegel’s headline repeated “Guilty!” 34 times, while Bild questioned, “Victory for Justice, or Dark Day for America?”
United Kingdom:
Trump’s guilty verdict featured prominently in top newspapers and tabloids including the Daily Telegraph, the Times, the Scotsman, the Mirror, and the Daily Star, which proclaimed, “Orange Manbaby Is Guilty on All Counts.”
The Financial Times asserted that the verdict “puts America’s political system on trial,” while the Economist’s headline read: “Guilty as charged: The disgrace of a former American president.”
The Economist also argued that the case might boost Trump’s chances in the presidential election, warning that this could threaten the rule of law more than his fraudulent activities.
The “prosecution has done more to help than hurt Mr Trump’s chances of winning back the White House, and, as the insurrection of January 6th 2021 ought to have made clear, that is a greater hazard to the rule of law than any fraudulent book-keeping,” the Economist concluded.
France:
Le Monde highlighted the word “guilty” as a testament to the resilience of the rule of law and the emerging challenges for American democracy. Libération pointed out that while the verdict spares Trump from frequent court appearances, he remains burdened by his criminal record. Trump’s sentencing is set for July 11.
Switzerland:
Swiss newspapers, like Zurich’s Tages-Anzeiger, focused on the political repercussions, noting that Trump’s campaign would now be driven by a desire for revenge.
Poland:
Gazeta Wyborcza drew parallels with local politics, citing Polish President Donald Tusk’s comment that Polish politicians should learn from America’s example.
Spain:
Spanish dailies gave front-page coverage to Trump’s conviction, although right-leaning outlets, preoccupied with their own political battles, devoted less attention to the story.
Russia:
Russian state media outlets, including RT and Sputnik, echoed Trump’s claims of a biased trial, describing it as a “kangaroo court” and “rigged.”
Hungary:
Hungarian pro-government daily Magyar Hirlap showcased Trump supporters and connected the trial coverage with domestic political themes, including U.S. President Joe Biden’s policies.
China:
The Chinese state-run Global Times featured the headline “Trump convicted in hush money case, ‘to exacerbate political extremism, social unrest’” and included commentary from Chinese academics criticizing American politics.
Israel:
The Trump verdict received minimal attention in Israel’s major newspapers, with coverage dominated by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The left-leaning Haaretz highlighted reactions from Jewish political groups in the U.S., noting the antisemitic undertones in Trump’s comments about the prosecuting district attorney.
Qatar:
Al Jazeera provided extensive coverage, including analysis on how the verdict might energize Trump’s supporters, with correspondent John Hendren noting its potential impact on the U.S. elections.
Nigeria:
The Vanguard quoted President Biden’s campaign, emphasizing that “No one is above the law.” The paper noted that Trump’s conviction, in any other year, would likely have been a decisive blow to his campaign.
South Africa:
Amidst its own election season, South African media paid little attention to Trump’s verdict, focusing instead on the potential loss of majority by the African National Congress for the first time since 1994.
India:
Similarly, Indian newspapers prioritized local election news over Trump’s trial, given the imminent announcement of national election results.
Argentina:
Clarín dubbed the trial “pornogate” and speculated on the potential boost it could give to Trump’s campaign.
Mexico:
Mexico’s major daily covered Trump’s conviction, noting its historical significance as the first for a former U.S. president.