Fact Check: Is trump a felon

Fact Check: Is Trump a Felon?

What We Know

Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, was convicted of 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records in a case involving hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The jury delivered its verdict on May 30, 2024, marking Trump as the first former U.S. president to be convicted of a felony while also being elected to office again (AP News). Following his conviction, Trump was sentenced on January 10, 2025, receiving an "unconditional discharge," which means he will not face any fines, prison time, or probation, but the felony conviction remains on his record (NPR, USA Today).

Analysis

The claim that Trump is a felon is substantiated by the legal proceedings that resulted in his conviction. The New York court found him guilty of serious offenses, specifically related to the falsification of business records aimed at concealing payments made during the 2016 election cycle (NPR, New York Times). The unconditional discharge he received does not erase the felony conviction; it merely means that he will not serve additional penalties beyond the conviction itself (NPR, USA Today).

The sources used in this analysis are credible and well-regarded. For instance, NPR and AP News are established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. The legal documentation from NYCOURTS.GOV also provides authoritative information regarding the court's decisions (NYCOURTS.GOV).

However, it is important to note that Trump's legal team has indicated intentions to appeal the conviction, which could affect the status of his felony record in the future (NPR). Nonetheless, as it stands, the conviction is valid and remains a part of his legal history.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
Donald Trump is indeed a felon, having been convicted of felony charges related to falsifying business records. Despite receiving an unconditional discharge, the conviction remains on his record, making the claim accurate.

Sources

1. People v Donald J. Trump (Criminal) | NYCOURTS.GOV
2. Trump 2.0 and opportunities for criminal justice reform
3. Trump gets unconditional discharge sentence for felony case - NPR
4. Trump's ongoing push to erase his criminal conviction ...
5. Guilty: Trump becomes first former US president convicted ...
6. What We Know About Trump's Sentencing - The New York Times
7. A year after his felony conviction, is Trump still a felon?