Paul Manafort convicted on 8 counts of bank and tax fraud

Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was convicted on eight felony counts of bank fraud and tax evasion in the first trial stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Trump reacted by calling the prosecution a "witch hunt" and praising Manafort as a "brave man" for refusing to "break," contrasting him with Michael Cohen who pleaded guilty the same day.

"I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family... Unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to 'break' - make up stories in order to get a 'deal.' Such respect for a brave man!" — Twitter, August 22, 2018