Hey there, politics junkie. Feeling a little deflated after the big guy took a hit in court? Not so fast — Trump is still in the running. The Constitution says convicted felons can’t vote, but it doesn’t say they can’t run. So hold onto your MAGA hats, folks. The Donald is down but not out. His lawyers are already appealing, and he says this changes nothing. Trump is still your president, baby! At least until the next election. Think a criminal conviction makes him unelectable? Not so fast. Plenty of shady characters have run and won before. Our boy Don just made history as the first major party nominee to achieve this feat pre-election. But the law’s still on his side. Read on to find out how a criminal president could happen.
Trump Found Guilty but Vows to Run Again
The Verdict is In
Well, it finally happened. After years of legal drama and twists, a jury found Donald Trump guilty of falsifying business records related to hush money payments. Even though the charges each carry up to a year in jail, experts say it’s unlikely the former president will actually serve any time. But one thing’s for sure – this conviction isn’t stopping Trump from planning another run in 2024.
A First but Not a Barrier
While this marks the first time a major party nominee has run with a conviction, there’s nothing in the Constitution barring it. As long as you’re over 35, born in the U.S., and haven’t already served two terms as president, you’re eligible. Some argue a conviction should disqualify a candidate, but others say voters should have the final say. Given Trump’s popularity with his base, a conviction alone probably won’t tank his chances.
Trump Defiant as Ever
True to form, Trump remains defiant in the face of this legal setback. At a rally shortly after the verdict, he told supporters, “This is a disgrace. This changes nothing. I’m still your president, baby!” His fans erupted in cheers and chants of “four more years!” Say what you will about the man, but Trump knows how to work a crowd. While he may be down, he’s definitely not out.
With his conviction now behind him and 2024 fast approaching, Trump seems poised to wage yet another campaign. His supporters remain as devoted as ever, so if he does run again, it’s sure to be a race unlike any we’ve seen before. The only question is, will voters endorse a candidate fresh off a felony conviction? We’ll find out soon enough.
Can a Convicted Felon Become President?
Listen, just because someone has a felony conviction doesn’t mean they can’t run for president. The Constitution sets only a few requirements to be president: be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and have lived in the U.S. for 14 years. It doesn’t say anything about criminal records.
Felons Have Run Before
Believe it or not, convicted felons have run for president before. In 1920, Eugene V. Debs ran for president from prison and got nearly 1 million votes! In 1992, Lyndon LaRouche ran for president despite being in jail for mail fraud. Neither won, but it shows there’s no law stopping felons from running.
It’s Up to Voters
At the end of the day, it’s up to voters whether they want to elect a convicted felon as president. Some may see a criminal conviction as a sign of poor judgment or character. But others might believe the person deserves a second chance or that they were wrongly convicted. If voters want to give a felon a shot at the White House, that’s their choice.
State Laws Vary
While federal law allows felons to run for president, some states have laws banning felons from running for state and local offices. But most experts agree these laws do not apply to running for president. The qualifications are set by the Constitution alone.
So if Trump wants to run for president again in 2024, his felony conviction alone won’t stop him. Of course, voters and the political parties still have the final say. But as far as the law is concerned, there’s nothing preventing a convicted felon from becoming president. Pretty crazy, right? This country never ceases to surprise.
Other Presidents With Shady Pasts
Teapot Dome Scandal
Warren G. Harding’s administration was riddled with corruption, and the Teapot Dome scandal was the cherry on top. His Secretary of the Interior leased government oil reserves to private companies in exchange for bribes and gifts. Though Harding himself was never directly implicated, his administration was seen as incompetent and dishonest. Still, Harding remained popular and died before he could be impeached. If he had lived, he may have joined Trump in the felon’s club.
Grover Cleveland’s Love Child
Grover Cleveland is the only president to serve non-consecutive terms, winning in 1884 and 1892. During the 1884 election, Cleveland was hit with a scandal involving allegations that he had fathered an illegitimate child. At first, Cleveland denied the claims, but later admitted they were true. Voters ultimately forgave Cleveland, who won the election. His situation shows that past indiscretions —even ones involving shady behavior or lawbreaking—don’t necessarily bar someone from the presidency. ###Nixon and Watergate
Richard Nixon is the only president in American history to resign. His downfall came as a result of the Watergate scandal, in which members of his administration broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters. Though Nixon denied direct involvement, subsequent investigations and revelations showed he had attempted to cover up the break-in. Nixon avoided impeachment by resigning, but his legacy was permanently tarnished. However, up until Watergate was uncovered, Nixon remained a popular president, showing voters can look past a candidate’s questionable history.
While Trump would be the first convicted felon president, his shady past alone may not prevent his election or service. As the checkered histories of Harding, Cleveland, and Nixon show, voters have short memories. Trump is nothing if not a master manipulator, and may be able to spin his conviction to his advantage. If he runs in 2024, his slogan may well be “convicted, but still your president, baby!” Sadly, it might just work.
What Felonies Disqualify a Candidate?
Being convicted of a felony is serious business, but not all felonies are created equal when it comes to running for federal office. According to the Constitution, only a handful of felony convictions explicitly disqualify someone from becoming president.
Treason and bribery are two of the big ones. If you’ve been convicted of betraying the country or taking bribes in exchange for political favors, you’re out of luck. These are seen as betrayals of the public trust that the president holds. Beyond that, however, the rules get a bit murky.
Most other felonies, even serious crimes like fraud, racketeering, or tax evasion, do not legally prevent someone from running for or serving as president. While a criminal conviction may make it more difficult to get elected, it is not an automatic disqualification. After all, the guiding principle of American justice is that once someone has served their sentence, they should have a path to redemption and rejoining society.
Some states have additional laws about candidate eligibility that could potentially apply to a presidential candidate. For example, a few states bar convicted felons from appearing on the ballot at all. But federal election law supersedes state law in this area, so a candidate could still get their name on the ballot in most states and potentially win enough electoral votes to become president.
The court of public opinion is another matter. Voters are free to consider a candidate’s criminal record and character when deciding who to support. So while Donald Trump may face no legal barrier to running in 2024 despite his conviction, he would likely face an uphill battle convincing voters to give a felon a chance at another term in the White House. His populist base may remain loyal, but moderate Republicans and independents could look elsewhere for a standard bearer with a clean record and steady moral compass.
In the end, Americans have the opportunity to choose the values and character they want in their leaders. The Constitution sets only a low legal bar, but voters can raise the bar as high as they like.
Trump Supporters Rally Around Their Candidate
Even after his conviction, Trump’s most ardent supporters remain loyal. They argue this is just another “witch hunt” by the “deep state” to undermine their candidate. ###Diehard Believers His base believes every word he says and sees him as a savior who will “drain the swamp.” They dismiss the verdict as “fake news” and claim the trial was rigged. Some are calling for protests, riots and attacks against those involved. These dangerous reactions show how deeply they believe in Trump, regardless of facts.
The Power of Personality Cults
Trump has developed a cult of personality that leads followers to believe he can do no wrong. His rhetoric of being an outsider fighting the establishment resonates with them. They see attacks on him as attacks on their values. Trump stokes these feelings at rallies, raging against the system and media. ###Looking Ahead to 2024 Although convicted, Trump is eligible to run again in 2024. His supporters are already gearing up for another campaign, believing he was robbed of 2020 and will restore “law and order.” Trump’s conviction may strengthen their resolve to get him back in office to exact revenge on their perceived enemies.
A Divided GOP
The Republican party faces a reckoning. Some want to move on from Trumpism while others see it as the future. The cult of personality around Trump has overtaken the party, and they must decide whether to fully embrace him or find a new direction. The 2024 primaries may come down to a battle between Trumpism and more traditional Republican values.
Trump’s conviction has cemented perceptions of him as either a dangerous demagogue or a hero. His tight-knit base will stand by their man no matter what, seeing attacks on him as threats to their way of life. The political fallout may shake the Republican party to its core as it struggles with its identity in a post-Trump era. His shadow will loom over the 2024 election as supporters hope for his triumphant return.
Conclusion
So there you have it. Trump can still run for president from his prison cell. And you know what? He just might win. After all, he still has hordes of loyal supporters out there who don’t care one whit about his criminal conviction. They still think he’s their guy. Their champion. Their great white hope. So don’t be surprised if you see Trump yard signs sprouting up like weeds or MAGA hats multiplying like tribbles. The Donald is down but not out. And he’s still hungry for that Oval Office. Even if he has to dial in by phone from the federal pen. He’s not giving up his dream of being your president. Your leader. Your authoritarian daddy. So strap in, folks. This crazy train may keep on rolling all the way to the White House. Again.