Former President Donald Trump made history on May 30, 2024, by becoming the first former president and major-party presidential candidate to be convicted of felony crimes. A Manhattan jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to $130,000 in hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016.

The sentencing date is set for July 11, four days before the Republican National Convention, where Trump is expected to accept the party’s nomination. He remains free on bail and is expected to appeal the conviction. Legal experts suggest that actual prison time is unlikely given Trump’s age, 77, lack of previous convictions, and the logistical challenges of imprisoning a former president with Secret Service protection.

Despite his legal battles, Trump can still run for president as the U.S. Constitution does not disqualify felons from seeking office. Historical precedents include Eugene V. Debs running for president from prison in 1920 and U.S. Rep. Matthew Lyon winning reelection from jail in 1798.

Trump is also facing other legal challenges, including election fraud cases in Georgia and Washington, D.C., and a case in Florida concerning the mishandling of classified documents. The Georgia case, led by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, is the most trial-ready, with proposed jury selection starting on August 5. However, ongoing legal maneuvers and appeals are likely to delay any further trials until after the November election.

If Trump wins the presidential election, he could potentially delay prosecution of any federal charges by leveraging executive powers, although this remains subject to legal interpretation. State charges in New York and Georgia would likely be paused as long as he holds office.

Trump’s conviction follows months of legal scrutiny, a history of financial penalties from civil cases, and ongoing political support. Despite the historic nature of the conviction, political analysts suggest it may have little impact on his electoral prospects, echoing the resilience of his support base.