If you’ve spent any time on the internet in the last couple of years, you’ve probably seen the headlines. Some say he's a "convicted felon" 34 times over. Others claim the cases are falling apart or were basically "rigged" from the jump. Honestly, it is a lot to keep track of, especially now that we are in 2026 and the dust has somewhat settled on the legal chaos of his first post-presidency.
So, let's get straight to the point. How many felonies has Trump been convicted of? As of right now, the number is 34.
But that number doesn't tell the whole story. It’s not like he has 34 different crimes on his record for 34 different things. It’s actually 34 counts related to a single specific case in Manhattan. If you’re looking for a tally of convictions in the other big federal or Georgia cases, that number is currently zero.
Why? Because those other cases basically vanished or were put on ice once he headed back to the White House.
The Manhattan 34: What Really Happened
Back in May 2024, a jury in New York found Donald Trump guilty on every single count he faced in the "hush money" trial. Specifically, these were 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.
You might remember the details—it was all about those payments to Michael Cohen to reimburse him for the money paid to Stormy Daniels. The prosecution's whole argument was that Trump didn't just pay her off; he masked the payments as "legal expenses" to hide a "conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the 2016 election."
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Under New York law, falsifying business records is usually just a misdemeanor. To make it a felony, prosecutors had to prove he did it to conceal another crime. That’s where things got messy and controversial.
The Counts Explained
- 11 Invoices: Every time Michael Cohen sent an invoice for his "retainer," that was a count.
- 11 Checks: Every check signed (some by Trump himself) was another count.
- 12 Ledger Entries: Every time a bookkeeper typed it into the system, yep, another count.
It’s kind of a "quantity over variety" situation. He wasn't convicted of 34 different types of crimes, but rather 34 instances of the same paperwork violation.
The 2026 Update: Where Do the Convictions Stand Now?
This is where people get confused. If he was convicted, why isn't he in jail?
Well, first off, these are Class E felonies in New York—the lowest tier. For a first-time offender, prison was always a long shot. But more importantly, the legal world changed after the 2024 election.
On January 10, 2025, just days before his second inauguration, Judge Juan Merchan sentenced Trump to an unconditional discharge. Basically, the conviction stays on his record, but there’s no jail time, no probation, and no fine. It was a "convicted but free to go" scenario.
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The Appeal is Still Alive
Even now, in early 2026, Trump’s lawyers are fighting to get those 34 counts wiped away entirely. They filed a massive "powerhouse" appeal in late 2025. Their big argument? Presidential Immunity. The Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that presidents have broad immunity for "official acts." Trump's team argues that because some of the evidence used in the New York trial came from his time in the White House (like tweets and meetings with staff), the whole trial was tainted. If the New York appeals courts agree, those 34 convictions could eventually be overturned. But for this exact second? He is still a convicted felon in the eyes of the State of New York.
What About the Other Cases?
You probably remember the talk about "88 charges" or "91 counts." If you're wondering how we went from nearly 100 potential felonies to just 34 convictions, here is the breakdown of the "ones that got away."
The Federal Election Interference Case
This was the big one brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith regarding January 6th. It had four major felony counts. However, once Trump won the 2024 election, the Department of Justice (DOJ) followed its long-standing policy: you can't prosecute a sitting president. The case was formally dropped in early 2025.
The Classified Documents Case (Mar-a-Lago)
This case involved 40 felony counts. It looked like the strongest case on paper, but Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed it in July 2024, ruling that Jack Smith’s appointment was unconstitutional. The DOJ tried to appeal, but like the election case, they pulled the plug once the administration changed.
The Georgia RICO Case
Remember Fani Willis and the "I just want to find 11,780 votes" phone call? That started with 13 felony counts (later reduced). That case hit a wall of delays and was essentially mothballed. Since a state can't really put a sitting president on trial without causing a constitutional crisis, it’s basically in legal limbo until at least 2029.
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The Verdict on the "Convicted Felon" Label
So, when someone asks how many felonies Trump has been convicted of, the technically correct answer remains 34.
However, the weight of those convictions is a matter of fierce debate. To his critics, it's a mark of "nobody is above the law." To his supporters, it’s a "political hit job" that has been practically neutralized by his return to power and the subsequent sentencing of an unconditional discharge.
Actionable Takeaways for Staying Informed:
- Check the Status of the NY Appeal: The New York Court of Appeals (the state's highest court) will likely have the final word on the 34 counts later this year. Keep an eye on rulings regarding "Presidential Immunity" in state-level cases.
- Differentiate Between Federal and State: Remember that a President can pardon federal crimes, but they cannot pardon themselves (or anyone else) for state convictions like the ones in New York.
- Verify the Tally: Don't get fooled by old graphics. The total number of active charges against him is effectively zero, even though the 34 convictions remain on the books pending appeal.
Keeping up with this stuff is a headache, but knowing the difference between a "charge" and a "conviction" is the best way to cut through the noise. Right now, the record shows 34, but in the world of Trump's legal battles, the scoreboard is always subject to change.
To stay updated on the specific progress of the New York appeal, you should regularly check the New York Unified Court System's public records or reputable legal news aggregators like SCOTUSblog, which often covers the intersection of state cases and federal immunity.