Donald Trump was found guilty on all counts in the hush money trial. He now faces a prison sentence of several years. Even if Donald Trump is unlikely to actually go to prison, that wouldn’t stop him from running for president. He could even be sworn in behind bars.
Following the historic conviction in New York, the verdict is still pending and is expected to be announced on July 11. The ex-president is a first-time offender and has not committed any violent crimes, so there is a good chance he will get away with a fine or probation. It is also possible that he will be placed under house arrest.
It is therefore unlikely that Judge Juan Merchan will actually impose a prison sentence on Trump – a possible sentence of up to four years. But even if Trump goes behind bars, that won’t prevent him from running against Joe Biden in November’s presidential election. Because there are only a few criteria for candidates.
Historical model for election campaigns in prison
There is even a historical model for an election campaign conducted from prison. In 1920, socialist Eugene Debs campaigned from prison. He served a three-year prison sentence for encouraging his followers to resist conscription during the First World War. Debs received three percent of the vote in the presidential race. Trump would be the first convicted candidate who actually has a chance to become head of state.
Theoretically, Trump could also be sworn in in prison. But then many practical questions arise. As a former president, the 77-year-old is already entitled to lifelong personal protection. It is unclear how this could be implemented in prison.
Above all, how exactly should he be able to conduct official business? The American magazine ‘Politico’ refers to the opinion of legal experts that a constitutional crisis would be inevitable and that the prison sentence should be suspended so that Trump can fulfill his presidential duties.
The fundraising website has gone bankrupt
Either way, Trump is trying to use the guilty verdict to his own advantage. Immediately after the ruling, his team asked supporters for donations. “I am a political prisoner,” the Republican politician said in an email and on his fundraising website. “I was convicted in a rigged witch hunt trial: I did nothing wrong,” Trump wrote. “But with your support at this moment in history, we will take back the White House and make America great again.” The fundraising website then collapsed on Thursday.
The campaign team of Trump’s political opponent, incumbent Joe Biden, also called on his supporters to withdraw their credit cards. “Convicted felon or not, Trump will be the Republican nominee for president,” the Democrat’s team wrote. The guilty plea will likely allow Trump to raise record amounts of donations and then spend this money on the election campaign. “If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to make your first donation to Joe Biden’s re-election campaign, today is the day to do so,” the message continued.
Trump’s historical role model Debs also used his convictions to mobilize voters more than a hundred years ago. During the 1920 election campaign, supporters of the socialist wore buttons with the inscription “Prisoner No. 9653”. Similar buttons featuring Donald Trump’s likeness have now appeared on eBay.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
