Fact check: What specific criminal charges was Donald Trump convicted of in 2024?

1. Summary of the results

Donald Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree in New York ^[1]. These convictions specifically related to:

• Falsifying records to conceal $130,000 in "hush money" payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election ^[1]
• The 34 counts included 11 checks to Michael Cohen, 11 invoices, and 12 ledger entries ^[2]
• Trump became the first U.S. president to be criminally convicted ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements were not addressed in the original question:

• Trump has consistently denied both the charges and the underlying affair ^[4]
• Each count carries a potential maximum sentence of 4 years, though legal experts believe actual jail time is unlikely ^[3]
• The sentencing is scheduled for November 26, and Trump has announced plans to appeal the verdict ^[3]
• The conviction has had political implications, with some journalists suggesting it would impact Trump's electoral chances ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question was straightforward and neutral, but several potential biases should be noted in the broader context:

• Political implications: Various groups have different interests in how this conviction is portrayed:
• Trump's opponents benefit from emphasizing the historic nature of the first presidential conviction
• Trump's supporters benefit from focusing on his denial and appeal plans
• Media narrative: Some journalists have used the conviction to make predictions about Trump's political future ^[5], potentially conflating legal and political consequences
• The case has spawned various conspiracy theories ^{[6] [7]}, indicating how the conviction has been weaponized by different political factions