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

The Park Fire burns along a road in California

Man arrested over California fire sparked by burning car pushed into gully

Israel has hit out at Britain's decision

Israel hits out at Starmer for dropping Britain's challenge to international arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Justin Timberlake at a premiere

Timberlake ‘not intoxicated’ and drink-drive charge should be dismissed – lawyer

What is your least favourite chocolate bars?

Brits divided over UK’s ‘worst chocolate bar’ with one Christmas classic branded ‘disgusting’

The French weather has been wet ahead of the opening ceremony

'Disaster' as flood warning issued for Paris ahead of Olympic opening ceremony, after arsonists target French railways

A crying woman at the site of a mudslide in Ethiopia

Ethiopia declares three days of mourning as toll of mudslide victims increases

Hongchi Xiao has been found guilty of the manslaughter of Danielle Carr-Gomm

Alternative healer found guilty of manslaughter of pensioner in slapping therapy workshop

Kennie Carter

Four teens jailed over revenge murder of 16-year-old Kennie Carter in Manchester, as heartbroken mother pays tribute

Graziano Di Prima has been placed under medical supervision

Ex-Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima 'placed under medical supervision' after being axed over Zara McDermott abuse claims

Insolvent Ted Baker could be set to close all its stores in a matter of weeks

Ted Baker to ‘close all stores’ in a matter of weeks as hundreds face unemployment

Nasa may have found a sign of life on Mars

Nasa finds Mars rock that 'may have hosted life', with mysterious 'features we've never seen before'

Barack Obama with Kamala Harris

Barack and Michelle Obama give endorsement for Kamala Harris’s White House bid

The police officer is facing a criminal investigation

Police officer who kicked man in the head in Manchester airport under criminal investigation for assault

Andrew found himself at the centre of Price's 2009 divorce from Peter Andre

Katie Price breaks silence as former dressage teacher to replace Charlotte Dujardin in Olympic team

Playa de las Cucharas, Costa Teguise

British tourist, 45, dies in suspected drowning off Lanzarote beach on family holiday

Joaquin Guzman Loera, also known as "El Chapo" is transported to Maximum Security Prison of El Altiplano in Mexico City,

El Chapo's son Joaquín Lopez and Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada in US custody