You’ve probably seen the headlines or heard the heated debates over dinner: Is Trump convicted of 34 felonies? It’s one of those questions that seems like it should have a simple "yes" or "no" answer, but in the world of high-stakes legal drama and presidential politics, things are rarely that straightforward. If you’re looking for the short version: Yes, a jury found him guilty on all 34 counts in May 2024. But if you stop there, you’re missing the wildest part of the story—especially what happened once he won the 2024 election.
Honestly, the whole thing felt like a movie script. We had a former president sitting in a chilly Manhattan courtroom for weeks, a "fixer" turned star witness, and a mountain of ledger entries that became the center of the political universe. Even now, in 2026, people are still arguing over whether the case was a landmark for accountability or a "political witch hunt," as Trump likes to call it.
The Verdict That Made History
Let’s go back to May 30, 2024. That was the day the Manhattan jury came back after two days of deliberating. They found Donald Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.
It was a historic moment. Never before had a former U.S. President been convicted of a felony. The charges were specifically about how he handled reimbursements to his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, who had paid $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged 2006 encounter. The prosecution argued these weren't just "legal expenses"—they were part of a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election.
What Were the 34 Counts Exactly?
The number 34 sounds like a massive list of different crimes, but it’s actually more like a repetitive paper trail.
- 11 Invoices: From Michael Cohen for his "services."
- 12 Ledger Entries: Inside the Trump Organization’s internal books.
- 11 Checks: Most signed by Trump himself while he was in the White House.
Basically, every time a document was created to process those payments, it counted as a separate felony count under New York law. It’s kinda like getting 34 speeding tickets on the same stretch of road because there were 34 different cameras.
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The "Unconditional Discharge" Twist
Fast forward to January 10, 2025. This was the date everyone was waiting for: the sentencing. People were speculating about everything from probation to actual jail time (which was technically possible but always unlikely for a first-time offender).
But then, the election happened. Trump won.
By the time he stood (virtually) before Judge Juan Merchan just ten days before his second inauguration, the legal landscape had shifted. Judge Merchan eventually handed down a sentence of unconditional discharge.
If you’re wondering what that means, you aren't alone. It’s basically the legal version of "you’re guilty, but we aren't going to punish you." No jail. No fines. No probation. Merchan acknowledged the "unique and remarkable" situation of sentencing a President-elect. He essentially decided that imposing a restrictive sentence would interfere with the duties of the presidency, especially since the Manhattan DA's office had stopped pushing for prison time once the election results were in.
Why the Conviction Still Matters in 2026
Even without a jail cell, the label "convicted felon" remains on Trump's record. This has led to some pretty weird legal gray areas. For instance, as a felon, he's technically barred from owning a firearm under federal law. There's also the question of travel; some countries have strict rules about letting people with felony records across their borders.
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However, being a felon does not stop someone from being President. The U.S. Constitution only has three requirements: you must be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and have lived in the U.S. for 14 years. It says absolutely nothing about a clean criminal record.
The Ongoing Appeal Battle
Just because he was sentenced doesn't mean it's over. Trump's legal team is currently fighting to have the entire conviction tossed out. They’ve got two main arguments they’re leaning on:
- Presidential Immunity: They argue that some of the evidence used in the trial (like tweets and testimony from White House aides) should have been protected under the Supreme Court's 2024 ruling on presidential immunity.
- Federal Jurisdiction: They’ve been trying to move the case to federal court, arguing that because the actions happened while he was President, a state court shouldn't have had the final say.
In late 2025, a federal appeals court actually told a lower judge to take another look at these immunity arguments. So, while he is currently convicted, there is a very real possibility that a higher court could eventually vacate the whole thing.
Clearing Up the Confusion: State vs. Federal
One thing that trips a lot of people up is why Trump couldn't just pardon himself.
Here is the deal: The 34 felonies are state crimes in New York. The President’s pardon power only applies to federal crimes. Even if Trump wanted to wipe the slate clean, he doesn't have the authority to pardon a conviction brought by a Manhattan District Attorney. Only the Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, could do that—and given the political climate, that’s about as likely as a snowstorm in July.
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What’s Next for the Case?
If you’re trying to keep track of where things stand right now, here is the "cheat sheet" for 2026:
- The Conviction: Still stands. He is officially a convicted felon in the state of New York.
- The Sentence: Completed. The unconditional discharge means he has no "time" to serve or money to pay.
- The Appeals: Ongoing. His lawyers are pushing the immunity angle hard in both state and federal appellate courts.
- The Impact: Mostly political. It didn't stop him from winning in 2024, but it remains a permanent part of his historical legacy.
If you want to stay informed on this, the best thing to do is keep an eye on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the New York Appellate Division. Any major change to his status will come from those two places. You might also want to look into the "presidential immunity" rulings, as those are the "golden ticket" Trump's team is hoping will eventually erase the 34 counts for good.
Stay skeptical of headlines that claim the case is "gone" or "dismissed" just because he is back in the White House. The conviction is real, the legal record exists, and until an appeals court says otherwise, those 34 felonies are a part of American history.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Docket: If you're a legal nerd, you can follow the case status via the New York Unified Court System's public records to see if any new appeal rulings have been filed.
- Monitor the Second Circuit: Keep an eye on federal rulings regarding "official acts" vs. "private acts," as this distinction will determine if the hush money evidence was legally admissible.
- Read the Immunity Ruling: Familiarize yourself with the Trump v. United States (2024) Supreme Court decision to understand the specific legal hurdle the New York prosecutors are now facing.