The POTUS has a long history behind him
Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
Donald Trump made history when he successfully became the first convicted criminal to be elected as President of the United States – but while this fact is pretty common knowledge, the entire list of convictions and allegations against the POTUS has left people shocked.
In April 2024, Donald Trump made history by becoming the first former U.S. president to be convicted of felony crimes. Many speculated that this conviction could hinder his ambitions to reclaim the White House. However, Trump defied expectations, winning a second term just months later. Now, just two months into his second presidency, a newly surfaced “cheat sheet” outlining Trump’s controversial “legal and ethical record” has sparked widespread attention after being shared on Reddit.
Criminal Convictions
Donald Trump’s felony convictions stemmed from a New York jury’s verdict in 2023, when he was found guilty on 34 charges related to a scheme designed to illegally influence the 2016 presidential election. The charges centered on a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump initially pleaded not guilty, but after 10 hours of deliberation, the jury handed down its decision. In response, Trump labeled the trial “rigged” and “disgraceful,” fueling his claims of political bias.
Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Trump has repeatedly denied over 20 allegations of sexual misconduct spanning from the 1980s to 2013. The earliest accusation came from Jessica Leeds, who claimed Trump groped her during a flight in the 1980s. The most recent allegation, made by former Miss Washington pageant contestant Cassandra Searles in 2013, accused Trump of repeatedly grabbing her buttocks during an event.
Settlements
Over the years, Trump has settled numerous legal disputes. The first major settlement occurred in 1973, when he and his father were accused of refusing to rent apartments in their buildings to Black tenants. Trump later settled a significant lawsuit in 2016, agreeing to pay $25 million to students of Trump University who claimed they had been deceived by promises of exclusive real estate success courses. Another settlement came in 2018, when a New York judge ordered Trump to pay $2 million for misusing charitable funds to finance his 2016 presidential campaign.
Impeachments
Trump’s “Cheat Sheet” also highlights his historic impeachments, making him the first president in US history to be impeached twice. His first impeachment occurred in 2019 when the House of Representatives charged him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Just two years later, he was impeached for a second time following the January 6 Capitol riots, facing charges of “incitement of insurrection.”
The post outlining Trump’s controversial backstory also delves into his tumultuous relationships and business missteps, leaving Reddit users astounded by the sheer length of the list.
One Reddit user reacted, saying, “Wow, when you lay it all out on one page, the guy sounds… pretty awful.”
Another chimed in with a joke, adding, “Quite the resume for POTUS.”
