You’ve probably seen the headlines. They were everywhere in late 2024 and dominated the early days of 2025. But if you’re trying to keep a running tally of exactly where things stand right now in 2026, the answer is both simpler and way more complicated than a single number.
Basically, the "big number" everyone cites is 34.
On May 30, 2024, a Manhattan jury found Donald Trump guilty on every single count he faced in that New York courtroom. It was a historic moment. The first time a former U.S. president—and a future one, as it turned out—was branded a convicted felon. But knowing the count is just the tip of the iceberg. To really understand the situation, you have to look at what happened after the gavel fell, especially once he moved back into the White House.
The 34 Counts: What Actually Happened in New York?
When people ask how many felonies is trump convicted of, they are talking about the "hush money" trial. This wasn't about the money itself, though. It was about the paperwork.
The prosecution, led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, argued that Trump falsified New York business records to hide a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels. The goal? To keep her quiet about an alleged affair before the 2016 election.
Trump was convicted of 34 counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree.
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Each count represented a specific document—an invoice, a check, or a ledger entry. For example, some counts were tied to checks signed in the Oval Office during his first term. Others were linked to vouchers processed by the Trump Organization.
Why it was a felony and not a misdemeanor
In New York, falsifying records is usually a misdemeanor. It only jumps to a felony if you do it to hide another crime. Bragg’s team argued the "other crime" was a conspiracy to promote an election by unlawful means. The jury bought it.
The "Unconditional Discharge" Twist
Here is where it gets kinda weird. Usually, a felony conviction leads to prison, probation, or at least a hefty fine.
On January 10, 2025—just ten days before his second inauguration—Judge Juan Merchan delivered the sentence. He gave Trump an unconditional discharge.
What does that mean?
Honestly, it’s the legal version of a "pass." Trump has the 34 felony convictions on his record, but he doesn't have to go to jail. He doesn't have a parole officer. He didn't even have to pay a fine for those specific counts. Merchan basically admitted that sentencing a President-elect to prison was a "legal minefield" that would interfere with the duties of the presidency.
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"The only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgment of conviction without encroaching on the highest office in the land is an unconditional discharge," Merchan noted during the proceedings.
So, he’s still a "convicted felon" in the eyes of the law, but he’s a felon with zero restrictions on his freedom.
What About the Other 54 Charges?
You might remember the total number of charges across all his cases used to be much higher—88, to be exact. If you're doing the math, that leaves 54 charges unaccounted for.
Those cases basically evaporated.
- The Federal Cases (D.C. and Florida): Special Counsel Jack Smith moved to dismiss these after the 2024 election. Department of Justice policy says you can't prosecute a sitting president. Since Trump won, the 2020 election interference case and the classified documents case were shut down.
- The Georgia Case: This one was already a mess due to the controversy surrounding Fani Willis. In late 2025, the new prosecutor, Pete Skandalakis, dropped all remaining charges.
This leaves the New York 34 as the only standing convictions on the board.
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Can the 34 Felonies Be Erased?
Trump isn't just sitting on these convictions; his legal team is fighting to have them wiped out entirely. They’re leaning heavily on the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling on presidential immunity.
The argument is that some of the evidence used in the New York trial—like testimony from White House aides and those checks signed in the Oval Office—should have been protected by "official acts" immunity. If the appeals court agrees that the jury shouldn't have seen that evidence, the whole conviction could be overturned.
As of now, the case is moving through the New York Court of Appeals. If they uphold it, it’s almost certain to end up back at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Summary of the Current Record
- Total Convictions: 34
- Charge Type: Class E Felonies (Falsifying Business Records)
- Sentence: Unconditional Discharge (No jail/fines)
- Status: Currently under appeal
The reality is that while the number is 34, the practical impact on his daily life as President is near zero. He can still travel, he can still lead the military, and he obviously still holds office. The label "felon" is currently more of a political talking point than a legal hurdle.
If you are tracking this for legal or research purposes, the most important thing to watch is the New York appellate docket. That is where the final number will actually be decided. If the appeal fails, he remains a convicted felon for life. If it succeeds, that number drops to zero.
Actionable Next Steps:
To stay truly updated on this, don't just follow social media snippets. Check the New York Unified Court System public records for "People v. Donald J. Trump." Look specifically for "Notice of Appeal" filings or "Decision and Order" updates from the Appellate Division. This is the only way to see if those 34 counts are held up or tossed out on constitutional grounds.