Of all the ironies circulating on social media, one stands out: Donald Trump’s new title of convict, humorously dubbed “Don the Con,” was announced 34 times by an immigrant.
It seems almost poetic, given Trump’s history of xenophobic rhetoric since 2016. An Irish-born salesperson from West Harlem, serving as foreperson of the jury in Trump’s hush money trial, delivered the verdict on Thursday, May 30, in a Manhattan courtroom.
Trump, 77, was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election. Daniels claimed to have had a sexual encounter with Trump approximately a decade earlier.
Hearing “Guilty” 34 times in an Irish accent must have been particularly jarring for Trump, making him the first U.S. president to bear the title of convict. The jury foreman, referred to as Juror B400, is an immigrant who once worked as a waiter, has some college education, is married, and enjoys outdoor activities. Despite Trump’s derogatory comments about immigrants, this Irishman—who gets his news from sources like the New York Times, Daily Mail, Fox News, and MSNBC—played a pivotal role in the historic trial.
Another immigrant on the jury, Juror 8, is originally from Lebanon. Having lived on New York City’s Upper East Side since 1980, he is a retired wealth manager who still consults for clients and stays informed through the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, BBC, and CNBC. These two immigrants were part of the 12-member jury that unanimously convicted Trump after just 10 hours of deliberation.
RELATED: Trump’s guilty on all 34 counts, but he can still run for President?!
Despite backlash from Trump’s supporters, including violent online rhetoric targeting immigrant New York Judge Juan Manuel Merchan and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the fact remains: Two immigrants played a crucial role in delivering justice. Some posts even revealed the purported addresses of jurors, echoing threats seen before the January 6 Capitol attack in Washington. These threats, inspired by Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election and now about the hush money trial, underscore the ongoing tension.
In light of these events, it’s time for Democrats and President Joe Biden to adopt the moniker “Don the Con,” and recognize the jury’s and immigrants’ contributions, especially during National Immigrant Heritage Month. This historic moment highlights the power of immigrants in helping to uphold justice and delivering accountability.
Next stop: “Lock Him Up”—a phrase Trump once directed at former First Lady, Senator, and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Karma has a powerful way of making its rounds, reminding us to be mindful of our words and actions. Ideally, Don the Con, not “Honest Don,” can now learn this lesson.
The other key immigrant in this case, Merchan, the Colombian-born former prosecutor, must now deliver this final lesson: No one is above the law.
Felicia J. Persaud is the publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com, a daily news outlet focused on positive news about the Black immigrant communities of the Caribbean and Latin America.
Given what we know about the people who support DT, thinking he has been wronged; why is necessary to publish this information about the jurors? Very irresponsible