Let’s be real for a second—trying to keep up with Donald Trump’s legal calendar over the last few years has felt like a full-time job. Between the headlines about "hush money," the technical talk of "falsifying records," and the political firestorms, the actual facts often get buried under a mountain of noise.
The short answer? Yes. Donald Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts on May 30, 2024.
This wasn’t just a political talking point or a civil fine like we’ve seen in his past business dealings. It was a criminal trial in a New York state court. A jury of 12 regular people sat in a room, looked at the evidence for weeks, and unanimously decided he was guilty on every single count. It made history as the first time a former U.S. President became a convicted felon.
The 34 Counts: What He Actually Did
People keep calling this the "hush money" trial, but that’s kinda misleading. Paying someone to keep quiet isn’t actually illegal in New York. If it were, half of Hollywood and corporate America would be in handcuffs.
The felony part comes down to paper trails. Specifically, Trump was charged with Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree.
Basically, the prosecution, led by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, proved that Trump disguised reimbursements to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, as "legal expenses." In reality, those payments were to cover the $130,000 Cohen paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged affair before the 2016 election.
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Why was it a felony and not a misdemeanor?
In New York, lying on your business records is usually a misdemeanor. It’s like a slap on the wrist. But it jumps up to a Class E felony—the lowest tier of felonies—if you falsify those records to hide or commit another crime.
The jury found that Trump didn't just mess up his bookkeeping; he did it to influence the 2016 election by keeping damaging info from voters. That "intent to commit another crime" is the secret sauce that turned 34 paperwork errors into 34 felonies.
The Sentencing Twist of 2025
For months, everyone was holding their breath to see if Trump would actually go to jail. Would he wear an orange jumpsuit? Would he get probation?
The sentencing date moved more times than a game of musical chairs. First, it was July, then September, then it was pushed until after the 2024 election. After Trump won that election, things got legally weird.
On January 10, 2025, Justice Juan Merchan finally handed down the sentence: an unconditional discharge.
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Honestly, it’s a bit of an anti-climax for those expecting a prison sentence. An unconditional discharge means the conviction stays on his record—he is still a convicted felon—but the court isn't imposing any fines, probation, or jail time. Judge Merchan basically acknowledged that trying to put a President-elect (at the time) or a sitting President behind bars for low-level felonies was a logistical and constitutional nightmare that wouldn't "serve the public interest."
The Elephant in the Room: Can a Felon Be President?
You've probably heard this a million times: "How can he be in the Oval Office if he’s a felon?"
The U.S. Constitution is surprisingly short on requirements. You have to be 35, a natural-born citizen, and have lived in the U.S. for 14 years. That’s it. It says nothing about a clean criminal record.
- Can he vote? Yes. Since he wasn't incarcerated in New York, he maintained his right to vote in Florida.
- Can he own a gun? Generally, no. Federal law prohibits felons from possessing firearms.
- Can he pardon himself? No. The President's pardon power only applies to federal crimes. Since this was a New York state case, he has no power to wipe it away with a presidential pen.
What Most People Get Wrong
A big misconception is that the Supreme Court's "immunity" ruling killed this case. It didn't.
While the Supreme Court did rule that Presidents have broad immunity for "official acts," this trial was about things Trump did before he was President and personal checks he signed while in office that were deemed "unofficial." His legal team tried to use the immunity ruling to get the verdict thrown out, but in early 2025, the New York courts let the conviction stand.
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Another myth? That Michael Cohen's testimony was the only thing they had.
While Cohen was the "star witness," the prosecution brought in 22 witnesses and a mountain of "smoking gun" documents. We’re talking about handwritten notes from Trump Organization execs, bank records, and those famous checks with Trump’s signature on them. The jury didn't just take a convicted liar's word for it; they followed the money.
Why This Still Matters in 2026
Even though the "unconditional discharge" means no jail time, the "convicted felon" label isn't going anywhere. It’s a permanent part of the history books now.
Currently, Trump is still appealing the conviction. His lawyers are pushing the argument that the trial was "tainted" by evidence that should have been protected by presidential immunity. If they win the appeal, the conviction could be vacated. If they lose, he remains the first-ever felon to hold the highest office in the land.
Actionable Insights for You:
- Check the Source: When you see a headline saying the case was "dismissed," look closer. Often, they mean a sentencing was delayed or a different case (like the federal documents case) was dropped. The New York conviction is still on the books.
- Understand Jurisdiction: Remember that state cases (New York, Georgia) and federal cases (D.C., Florida) are totally different animals. Trump can influence federal prosecutors, but he can't fire a New York District Attorney.
- Track the Appeal: The New York Appellate Division is the next stop. If you want to know the final-final outcome, that’s the court to watch over the next year.
The legal reality is a mess of technicalities, but the bottom line is clear: Donald Trump was convicted by a jury of his peers, sentenced to a discharge, and is currently fighting to have that record cleared.
Keep an eye on the appellate court filings if you want to see if those 34 counts actually stick for good.