…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
Former US President Donald Trump has been found liable for sexually abusing magazine writer E Jean Carroll in the 1990s and then falsely branding her a liar.
A federal court in Manhattan, New York, ordered Trump to pay $5 million (£3.9 million) in compensation and damages to Ms Carroll.
Although the nine-member jury ruled that Ms Carroll had been assaulted, they rejected her claim that Trump had raped her.
Trump’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, stated that the ex-president would appeal against the verdict.
Legal Woes of Donald Trump
This case was a civil one, and thus Trump does not face any jail time following the verdict.
However, unlike this last case, the next charges Trump faces are criminal.
In March, a grand jury voted to indict Trump on criminal charges.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg investigated hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels leading up to the 2016 presidential election.
Trump is accused of falsifying business records to conceal an alleged scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election by suppressing negative stories about him.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the New York hearing that occurred at the beginning of April, and proceedings are ongoing.
Reuters has documented Trump’s legal woes here.
Can Trump Run for US President in 2024?
The US Constitution does not stop someone who has been accused, indicted, or convicted of a crime from running or winning the presidential election.
However, individual states may have their own laws and regulations regarding candidacy and eligibility for elected offices, including the presidency.
These laws can vary, and some states may impose restrictions on individuals with certain criminal convictions or specific legal issues.
Even if Trump were to be jailed, he could still run for president.
Should he win, nothing in the US Constitution would automatically grant Trump a reprieve from prison time.
However, a lengthy legal battle would be expected in that instance.
Requirements to Run for US President
To run for US President, the person must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, at least 35 years old, and have been a resident of the United States for 14 years.
Additionally, potential candidates often belong to one of the major political parties such as the Democratic Party or the Republican Party.
However, independent candidates can also run for president.
It’s important to note that individual states may have additional requirements for candidates to appear on their respective state ballots.
US Presidential Candidates in 2024
Apart from Donald Trump, several others have announced their candidacy for the US presidency in 2024.
Joe Biden, the serving US President, has officially announced his candidacy for a second time.
Other candidates include Marianne Williamson, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Robert F Kennedy Jr, Vivek Ramaswamy, Larry Elder, Ryan Binkley, and Asa Hutchinson.
Analysis and Commentary
The ruling against Trump is a significant development for the #MeToo movement, which aims to hold powerful individuals accountable for sexual misconduct.
The decision shows that women can speak out and be heard, even against powerful figures.
However, the fact that Trump can still run for president despite ongoing criminal accusations raises questions about the US electoral process.
It also underscores the importance of individual states having laws and regulations regarding candidacy and eligibility for elected offices, including the presidency.
The list of presidential candidates in 2024 highlights the diversity of options for voters.
However, it remains to be seen who will ultimately secure the nomination for the Democratic and Republican parties.
The ongoing legal proceedings against Trump could impact his chances of securing the nomination for the Republican party, but it is too early to say for sure.
The presidential campaign is likely to be highly contested and unpredictable, with many surprises along the