If you’re confused about whether Donald Trump is a "convicted felon," you aren’t alone. Honestly, it's a mess. Depending on which news channel you watch or which social media thread you fall down, you’ll hear that he’s a criminal, or that all the cases were dropped, or that the Supreme Court basically wiped his slate clean.
The reality? It's a bit of both. As of right now, in early 2026, Donald Trump does indeed have 34 felony convictions on his record.
These aren't "pending" charges or accusations. A jury in Manhattan sat in a room, looked at the evidence, and came back with a guilty verdict on every single count in May 2024. But here’s the kicker: even though he has those 34 felonies, he isn’t in jail, he didn't pay a fine, and he’s currently sitting in the Oval Office.
The 34 Felonies: What Really Happened in New York?
Basically, the only case that actually "stuck" was the New York "hush money" trial. This wasn't a federal case—it was brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Because it’s a state-level conviction, the President can’t just pardon himself.
The charges were for Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree. Under New York law, this is a Class E felony. Normally, that’s the lowest tier of felony, but it’s still a felony.
The jury found that Trump didn't just mess up some paperwork. They decided he intentionally falsified 11 invoices, 12 ledger entries, and 11 checks to hide a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels. The goal, according to the prosecution, was to keep the information from voters during the 2016 election.
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The "Unconditional Discharge" Twist
You might remember the drama surrounding his sentencing. It was pushed back several times, first because of the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity, and then because he won the 2024 election.
On January 10, 2025—just ten days before his second inauguration—Judge Juan Merchan finally closed the books. He sentenced Trump to an unconditional discharge.
That sounds like a fancy legal way of saying "you're free to go," and it sort of is. In New York, an unconditional discharge means:
- The conviction stays on your record.
- You don't go to prison.
- You don't have to serve probation.
- You don't even have to pay a fine.
Basically, the judge decided that since Trump was about to become the sitting President, traditional punishment wasn't "practical" or in the public interest. So, while he remains a felon on paper, there was zero actual penalty.
What Happened to the Other 54 Charges?
At one point, Trump was facing 88 total counts across four different cases. If you do the math, 54 of those charges just... vanished. Well, they didn't vanish into thin air; they were methodically dismantled by various legal and political shifts.
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1. The Federal Classified Documents Case
This was the one involving the boxes at Mar-a-Lago. It looked like the most "dangerous" case for Trump legally. However, Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the entire thing in July 2024. She ruled that Special Counsel Jack Smith was illegally appointed. Once Trump won the election, the Justice Department dropped its appeal. Case closed.
2. The Federal Election Interference Case (Jan 6th)
Jack Smith was also running this one in D.C. After the Supreme Court ruled that Presidents have broad immunity for "official acts," this case got bogged down in technicalities. Once Trump became the President-elect, the DOJ followed its long-standing policy: you cannot prosecute a sitting President. Smith resigned, and the charges were dismissed in November 2024.
3. The Georgia RICO Case
This was the "I just want to find 11,780 votes" case. It was a state case, so it should have been harder to kill. But after months of drama involving Fani Willis and legal appeals, a new prosecutor took over in late 2025. On November 26, 2025, the charges were officially dropped.
Can a President Have Felonies?
Yes.
There is absolutely nothing in the U.S. Constitution that says a felon can't be President. The requirements are simple: be 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and live in the U.S. for 14 years. It doesn't say a word about a clean record.
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There’s a weird irony here, though. In many states, a person with 34 felonies can’t vote, own a gun, or even work as a licensed barber. But they can hold the nuclear codes.
Does the Appeal Change Anything?
Trump’s team is still fighting to get those 34 New York convictions erased entirely. They’ve argued that the Supreme Court's immunity ruling means some of the evidence used in the trial (like testimony from White House aides) should never have been allowed.
In late 2025, a federal appeals court actually ordered a lower court to take another look at this. If they decide the immunity ruling was violated, there is a real chance those 34 felonies could be vacated (wiped away) in the future. But as of today? They are still there.
Actionable Insights: How to Track the Status
If you're trying to stay updated on the legal status of the President, don't just look for "Trump News." You have to look for specific court filings.
- Check the New York Unified Court System: This is where the actual "hush money" conviction lives. If the appeal is successful, the "Certificate of Disposition" will change.
- Monitor the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals: This is the federal body currently deciding if the New York case should have been moved to federal court. Their ruling could effectively kill the conviction.
- Watch for "Vacatur": This is the legal term you're looking for. If you see a headline saying "Trump convictions vacated," it means he is no longer a felon.
The bottom line is that the legal system and the political system collided in 2024 and 2025. The result is a historic anomaly: a sitting President who is technically a convicted felon but faces no restrictions on his power or freedom. It's a situation the Founding Fathers probably didn't see coming, and we're all watching the precedent being written in real-time.
For those keeping a tally for historical or legal reasons, the number is 34. Until a higher court says otherwise, that's the count.
Next Steps:
If you want to see the specific breakdown of the 34 counts, you can look up the "New York v. Trump" verdict sheet. It lists every single check and invoice that the jury deemed fraudulent. Keeping an eye on the New York Appellate Division's calendar for "Case No. 2024-02590" will give you the most direct updates on whether these felonies will stick for good or be overturned on constitutional grounds.