Can Donald Trump still stand for President? And could he go to jail? Hush money verdict explained

30 May 2024, 23:49 | Updated: 31 May 2024, 01:29

Could Donald Trump go to jail?
Could Donald Trump go to jail? Picture: Getty
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts in an historic hush money trial involving the porn star Stormy Daniels - so what next?

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Trump will be sentenced on July 11 at 10am, around six weeks from now.

So could Trump actually go to prison? And will he still be able to run for President?

Is Trump still eligible to run for President?

Donald Trump following his guilty verdicts
Donald Trump following his guilty verdicts. Picture: Getty

In short, Trump remains eligible to run for the White House for a third time, despite today's guilty verdicts.

According to the Constitution, you must be at least 35 years old to run for President, be a “natural born” US citizen and have lived in the US for at least 14 years.

There's no mention of blocking Americans with criminal records, meaning Trump can stand.

In fact, Trump could still run for President - and even be President - if he goes to jail.

Clearly Trump knows this. In fact, he has already used the guilty verdicts to fuel his campaign.

Speaking outside the court, Trump labelled the trial "rigged" and "disgraceful".

"This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound or hurt an opponent, a political opponent," he said.

"We’ll keep fighting, we’ll fight to the end and we’ll win," he added.

Will Donald Trump go to jail?

Former President Donald J. Trump arrested and booked at the Fulton County (GA) Jail
Former President Donald J. Trump arrested and booked at the Fulton County (GA) Jail. Picture: Alamy

As we said before, after today's guilty verdicts, Trump will be sentenced on July 11 at 10am.

Experts across the US have suggested that while it's possible, it remains unlikely that Trump will do any jail time for this crime.

NBC News reported that an analysis of thousands of similar cases found that it is rare that people charged with the same crime go to jail.

Chuck Rosenberg, an NBC News analyst, also said it is unlikely he will go to jail due to his age and his lack of criminal record.

“I’d be very surprised if there's any sentence of incarceration at all," Rosenberg said. “Of course, he did spend a good bit of time insulting the judge who has the authority to incarcerate him.

When is the US election?

Donald Trump
Donald Trump. Picture: Getty

The US election will take place on Tuesday 5 November 2024.

It will be a rematch between Trump and the current US President, Joe Biden.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Biden headed to Camp David with his family over the weekend

Democrats creating ‘dignified path for Biden exit’ as US President’s family gather ‘to discuss his future’

Live
Independent Parliamentary candidate for Holborn and St Pancras, addresses supporters at a rally in King's Cross.

General Election LIVE: Campaigns hit the trail for final week of election

Beryl is now the earliest category 4 Atlantic hurricane on record

‘Extremely dangerous’ Hurricane Beryl approaching southeast Caribbean as people urged to take shelter

Marine Le Pen's far-right party has surged ahead in the first round of the French elections

Shops boarded up and barricades burned as protests erupt after far-right National Rally surges ahead in French elections

William last week flew out to Germany to watch England's  1-1 draw with Denmark

Prince William congratulates England for reaching Euro 2024 quarter final after "emotional rollercoaster" comeback

Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party has taken a strong lead in the first round of voting

Marine Le Pen declares far-right party 'almost wiped out' Emmanuel Macron after leading first set of French elections

The search for the missing 19-year-old has now ended

Jay Slater's family vow to carry on looking for missing teenager after police call off search in Tenerife

Marine Le Pen’s far right National Rally is leading the first round of snap legislative elections taking place in France

Marine Le Pen's far right National Rally lead first round of French elections, exit polls show

Late goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane saw England come from behind to beat Slovakia 2-1

England through to Euro 2024 quarter-finals after late Bellingham and Kane goals turn game around against Slovakia

Herms Niel, who composed Erika, conducting the marching band of the Reich Labour Service at a rally ground

Jewish society slams 'utterly abhorrent' video showing Warwick University Conservative society singing along to 'Nazi song'

A 13-year-old boy carrying a replica handgun has been shot dead by New York State Police

Boy, 13, holding replica handgun shot dead by New York police, authorities say

A Reform UK candidate has disowned the party and has instead endorsed the local Conservative candidate

'Disillusioned' Reform UK candidate disowns party following racism row and endorses Tories instead

Oliver Dowden has criticised Banksy's latest stunt at Glastonbury

Oliver Dowden lambasts Banksy's inflatable migrant boat at Glastonbury as 'pretty sad'

Former Mother of the House Harriet Harman has called for a more "rebellious" generation of women MPs

Harriet Harman wants new generation of female MPs to be 'rebellious' and 'put women first'

Wandsworth is a category B men's prison in south west London

Woman charged after prison officer filmed having sex with inmate in cell in Wandsworth prison

The search for the missing 19-year-old has now ended

Police call off search in Tenerife for missing teenager Jay Slater but confirm investigation remains open