Inauguration Day: 7 interesting facts about Trump’s second swearing in

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Monday, January 20, 2025

First convicted felon president

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to the media during his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City, on May 30, 2024. | MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

On Monday, Trump will make history when he becomes the first person convicted of a felony to be sworn in as president of the United States.

Since leaving office in 2021, Trump has battled considerable litigation over his alleged efforts to override the 2020 presidential election results, as well as battling allegations of sexual misconduct.

In May of last year, Trump was found guilty on 34 charges by a New York jury in a “hush money” case. The counts were tied to falsifying business records stemming from an allegation that Trump paid porn star Stormy Daniels (real name Stephanie Clifford) $130,000 back in 2016 to conceal an alleged extramarital affair from 2006 while he ran for president.

Trump has denied the allegations and denounced the verdict, arguing that the prosecution was politically motivated. His legal team appealed the ruling.

Ten days before his inauguration, Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan sentenced Trump to “unconditional discharge,” which means that he will not experience jail, probation or a fine.

However, explained CNBC, the sentence does officially classify Trump as a convicted criminal, making him the first convict to live in the White House.