As Americans stared at their TV screens early on Thursday evening, listening to the 34 Donald Trump “guilty” court verdicts rolling out one by one amid the former president’s histrionic cries that the trial was “rigged”, the immediate thought was: what on earth happens now?

To which the only honest reply is: no one knows. Anyone pretending they do is just as big a liar as Trump, dramatically convicted by a jury of his New York peers for fiddling the books to help him win the 2016 election.

CNN’s Jake Tapper said the country and the world were witnessing “an unbelievable moment in American history”. But he quickly followed up with a health warning: “For those wondering about the political consequences… the short answer is nobody has any idea. Period.”

The phrase “uncharted territory” is already suffering serious overuse. Trump has signalled his intention to appeal. That process could stretch beyond election day on 5 November. Meanwhile, the convicted man remains at large. One of many ironies is that, as a citizen of Florida and now a felon, he may be banned from voting. It’s certain that Trump will attempt to weaponise the verdict, as he did the entire Manhattan prosecution, alleging a conspiracy to victimise him led by President Joe Biden and the Democrats. Trump falsely argued the process was politicised. Now he will personally guarantee that it is.

One obvious concern is that protests by angry Trump supporters could tip into violence as they adopt their leader’s “us versus them” stance. One flashpoint may be the........

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