It was the verdict heard around the world. On May 30, 2024, a New York jury did something that had never happened in the 248-year history of the United States. They found a former president guilty of criminal charges. If you’re asking "was Trump charged with a felony," the short answer is yes—actually, he was charged with dozens of them. Specifically, 34 counts.
Honestly, the whole thing was a media circus. You probably remember the grainy courtroom sketches and the endless "breaking news" banners. But underneath the noise, there’s a very specific legal reality that still impacts the American political landscape today in 2026.
The 34 Counts: Breaking Down the "Hush Money" Case
The core of the case wasn't just about a payment to an adult film actress. That's the part everyone talks about at dinner parties, but the legal teeth came from how that money was recorded. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought 34 counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree.
In New York, falsifying records is usually a misdemeanor. It’s a "slap on the wrist" kind of thing. But it jumps to a Class E felony if you do it to hide or commit another crime. That’s the pivot point. Prosecutors argued Trump was trying to hide a violation of state election laws—essentially, an illegal conspiracy to influence the 2016 election.
Every single one of those 34 counts represented a specific document. We’re talking:
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- 11 invoices from Michael Cohen.
- 12 vouchers generated within the Trump Organization.
- 11 checks signed by Trump or his trust.
Each time a pen hit paper to call those reimbursements "legal expenses" instead of "campaign-related hush money," the law saw a new felony. The jury agreed. They came back unanimous on every single count.
What Kind of Felony is This?
Let’s get technical but keep it simple. Under New York Penal Law § 175.10, Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree is a Class E felony. That’s the lowest tier of felonies in the state.
For comparison, a Class A felony is something like first-degree murder. A Class E felony is more in the realm of certain types of grand larceny or driving while intoxicated (if it's a repeat offense). It carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison per count, though in practice, people rarely get the max for a first-time non-violent offense.
The Sentencing Twist: "Unconditional Discharge"
This is where things got really weird. After the 2024 election, everything changed. Because Trump won a second term, the legal system hit a wall. How do you sentence a President-elect?
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On January 10, 2025, Judge Juan Merchan delivered a sentence that left people on both sides scratching their heads: Unconditional Discharge.
Basically, it means Trump is a convicted felon—that stays on his record—but there is no "punishment." No jail time. No fines. No probation. Merchan basically said that given the "extraordinary circumstances" (the presidency), imposing a sentence wasn't in the public interest.
What About the Other Charges?
When people ask "was Trump charged with a felony," they often forget that the New York case was just one of four. At one point, he was facing 88 total counts across various jurisdictions.
- The Classified Documents Case (Florida): Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed this one in July 2024, arguing the Special Counsel's appointment was unconstitutional.
- The Federal Election Interference Case (D.C.): This was effectively dropped by Special Counsel Jack Smith in late 2024, following Department of Justice policy that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted.
- The Georgia RICO Case: This one has been stuck in a legal swamp of appeals and "motions to disqualify" for ages. As of early 2026, it is effectively on ice while Trump is in office.
The "Felon" Label in 2026
So, where does that leave us now? Trump is the first person to hold the Oval Office while being a convicted felon. It’s a strange quirk of the Constitution—it doesn't actually bar a felon from being President. It lists requirements for age, birth, and residency, but "clean criminal record" isn't on the list.
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His legal team is still fighting to have the New York conviction overturned entirely, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity. They argue that some of the evidence used in the trial (like tweets and testimony about meetings in the Oval Office) should have been off-limits.
Actionable Insights: Understanding the Record
If you're trying to keep the facts straight in a conversation, keep these three points in your back pocket:
- The Conviction is Real: Regardless of the "unconditional discharge" sentence, the 34 felony convictions remain on his record in the state of New York unless an appeals court tosses them out.
- The Nature of the Crime: It wasn't "hush money" that was illegal; it was the falsification of business records to hide an underlying election-related crime.
- The Pardon Power: Trump cannot pardon himself for the New York convictions. The presidential pardon power only applies to federal crimes. Only the Governor of New York could pardon him for these specific 34 counts, and that's... well, unlikely.
The best way to stay informed is to track the New York Appellate Division's schedule. Their rulings over the next few months will determine if those 34 counts stick for good or vanish into the history books.