Donald Trump says prison sentence would leave Americans 'at the breaking point'

Donald Trump said a prison sentence could put the American public at a “breaking point” following his historic conviction by a New York jury last week.

A New York jury on Thursday found Mr. Trump guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election by paying hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who said the two men had sex.

In an interview with Fox News, Mr. Trump said he was “not sure the public would accept” him being sentenced to prison.

“I think it would be difficult for the public to accept. You know, at some point there's a breaking point.

Mr. Trump did not specify what he thought might happen if he was sentenced to prison.

He will be sentenced on July 11.

When asked what Trump supporters should do if he were imprisoned, Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump told CNN: “Well, they're going to do what they've done since the beginning, that is to say remaining calm and protesting in front of the polls. On November 5, there is nothing you can do but make your voice heard loud and clear and oppose this.

Mr Trump is the first former US president to be convicted of a criminal offense.

He rejected the trial, without proof, calling it “rigged” and maintains his innocence.

Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about a backlash from Mr. Trump's supporters if the former president is sentenced to prison.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally, said any response must be legal.

“We are the party of the rule of law. Chaos is not a conservative value. We must fight back and we will do so with everything in our power. But we do it within the confines of the state of right,” Mr. Johnson told Fox News.

Mr. Trump still faces three other criminal cases, including two involving alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 defeat, although they are unlikely to be tried or concluded before the election. He denies any wrongdoing in all cases.