Can Donald Trump still run for president after conviction?
Despite his recent conviction, former President Donald Trump remains eligible to run for the White House in 2024.
Legal experts affirm that the 77-year-old can still participate in the presidential election, even after being found guilty on 34 charges of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment.
Trump’s conviction marks a historic first, making him the only former U.S. president to seek re-election while being a felon.
However, the U.S. Constitution stipulates that a presidential candidate must meet three primary criteria: they must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and have resided in the United States for at least 14 years.
Also read: Donald Trump Indicted: 5 points to understand the hush money payments case
Notably, it does not preclude individuals with criminal records from running for or holding the office of President.
While Trump can legally run, the impact of his conviction on voter sentiment could be significant.
According to a Bloomberg poll, 53% of swing state voters would not support Trump if he were convicted.
Additionally, a Quinnipiac University poll indicated that 6% of his supporters might reconsider their vote in light of his legal troubles.
These numbers suggest that his conviction could be a major hindrance in a closely contested election.
Currently, Trump is free and plans to appeal his conviction, with a court date set for July 11 for sentencing.
BREAKING: Donald Trump becomes the first actor from Home Alone 2 to be convicted of 34 felonies stemming from hush money payments to a porn star pic.twitter.com/Gou9yoBZgK
— Zack Bornstein (@ZackBornstein) May 30, 2024
Legal experts suggest that the appeal process could extend well beyond the November 2024 election, adding a layer of uncertainty to his campaign.
As Trump navigates these legal challenges, his ability to secure the nomination and potentially win the presidency will largely depend on how voters perceive his conviction and its implications.
