Is Trump still a convicted felon

1. The conviction and the sentence: what happened and what it means

A Manhattan jury found Trump guilty in May 2024 on all 34 counts tied to falsified business records related to payments to Stormy Daniels; the conviction stands in the record even though Judge Juan Merchan later imposed an unconditional discharge on January 10, 2025 — a sentence that affirms guilt but imposes no punishment ^{[1] [2] [5]}.

2. Why an unconditional discharge still makes him a “convicted felon” on paper

Legal coverage explains an unconditional discharge does not erase a conviction; it simply suspends punishment. Multiple outlets explicitly note that the discharge “affirms he’s a convicted felon” while leaving him free of fines, incarceration or other penalties ^{[5] [6]}.

3. Where the case stands now: appeals and court fights

Trump’s legal team has filed appeals in state court and sought federal review, arguing the Supreme Court’s July 2024 immunity ruling shields presidential acts and therefore taints evidence and the verdict in the New York trial; federal judges and appeals panels have given him opportunities to press those arguments, though outcomes remain unsettled ^{[3] [4] [2]}.

4. The federal government’s unusual brief and conflicting positions

In November 2025 the U.S. government filed a friend‑of‑the‑court brief urging that the New York conviction be thrown out because it relied on improper evidence and theories preempted by federal law — a notable alignment with Trump’s defense that raises the stakes of the appeals ^[7].

5. What an appellate win or loss would change

If an appellate court or the Supreme Court accepts the immunity arguments and overturns the conviction, Trump would no longer carry the criminal conviction on his record; conversely, if appeals fail, the conviction would remain despite the lack of punishment under the discharge ^[8]. Available sources do not mention any other mechanisms (such as a gubernatorial pardon or legislative action) in play to alter the conviction beyond the ongoing appeals (not found in current reporting).

6. Political and practical implications — competing viewpoints

Some outlets emphasize that the conviction had little electoral impact and highlight the lack of punishment after the discharge, noting Trump won reelection and resumed the presidency ^{[6] [9]}. Others stress the historical significance of a president being convicted and the novelty of the legal questions about immunity — framing the appeals as potentially precedent‑setting ^{[1] [10]}. Observers disagree on the likelihood of appellate success; Trump’s team calls the original trial “fatally marred,” while prosecutors contend the evidence at issue does not fall within the immunity ruling’s scope ^{[3] [4]}.

7. Reporting cautions and limits of available sources

Current reporting documents the conviction, the January 10, 2025 unconditional discharge, and active appeals but does not provide a final appellate decision erasing the conviction as of the latest cited pieces ^{[1] [2] [3]}. Details about precise timelines for appeals, potential Supreme Court review, or any changes after the November 2025 filings are not described in these sources (not found in current reporting).

8. Bottom line for the question “Is Trump still a convicted felon?”

Based on the cited coverage, yes: as of the latest reporting he remains a convicted felon on the New York record because the jury verdict was not vacated and the unconditional discharge left the conviction intact; however, that legal status is contested and subject to appeal that could change the record ^{[1] [2] [8]}.