Fact Check: Donald Trump is a felon.

Fact-Check: "Donald Trump is a felon."

What We Know

Donald Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. This trial, known as The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump, concluded on May 30, 2024, when a jury found him guilty after hearing testimony from 22 witnesses and reviewing various pieces of evidence, including documents related to the payments (Wikipedia, NPR).

On January 10, 2025, Trump was sentenced to an "unconditional discharge," which means he will not face fines, prison time, or any other penalties. However, this sentence does not erase the felony conviction from his record, which remains intact (NPR, USA Today). The judge in the case, Juan Merchan, stated that the only lawful sentence that would not interfere with Trump's ability to govern was this unconditional discharge (NPR).

Analysis

The claim that Donald Trump is a felon is substantiated by his conviction on multiple felony counts. The legal definition of a felon is someone who has been convicted of a felony, which is typically a serious crime. Trump's conviction for falsifying business records falls under this category, making him a felon as per legal standards (Wikipedia, USA Today).

While Trump's unconditional discharge means he will not face additional penalties, it does not negate the conviction itself. Legal experts have noted that the term "felon" remains applicable in this context, despite some discussions around the implications of the unconditional discharge (ABC News, USA Today).

The sources used in this analysis are credible, including official court documents, reputable news organizations, and legal analyses. The information from NPR and ABC News, in particular, provides a detailed account of the trial and its outcomes, while Wikipedia serves as a reliable summary of the events (NPR, ABC News, Wikipedia).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
Donald Trump is indeed a felon due to his conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The unconditional discharge he received does not erase this conviction, and thus he retains his status as a felon. The legal definitions and the circumstances surrounding his case support this conclusion.