Despite former US president Donald Trump’s felony conviction in the hush money trial conviction, legal experts confirm that Trump remains eligible to run for the presidency in 2024.
Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records, marking him as the first former U.S. president to seek the office as a convicted felon.
The U.S. Constitution stipulates that a presidential candidate must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years. It sets no disqualifications regarding criminal records for presidential candidates.
Read: Donald Trump Convicted on All Counts in New York Hush Money Trial
Voter sentiment, however, could significantly influence the upcoming election. A Bloomberg poll indicates that 53% of voters in swing states would not support Trump if convicted. Additionally, a Quinnipiac University poll suggests that 6% of Trump’s supporters might reconsider their support, potentially impacting his chances.
Despite the conviction, Trump will remain free until his sentencing, scheduled for July 11, where he plans to launch an appeal. This appeal process could extend past the November election, introducing further complexities and uncertainties into his campaign efforts.