Professor Brendon O'Connor
Professor Brendon O'Connor, a researcher and lecturer in government and international relations and member of the Centre for American Studies, said Donald Trump could still run for president.
“While Trump can run for president as a felon (out of prison), it's important to remember that as a Florida resident, you may not be able to vote for yourself because incarcerated felons cannot vote in the state,” O'Connor said.
“It is highly unlikely that Trump will receive any prison time,” he added.
“Trump will be the Republican nominee whether or not he is convicted because he won the primary and because his fellow Republicans fear that his supporters will turn against them politically and violently if they oppose his party's nomination,” he said.
Prof O'Connor said the big question was whether this would be an issue for voters.
“Is there a small group of voters who would have otherwise supported Trump but can't support a felon? Some polls suggest that might be the case, but I don't know if that's actually the case.”
“Trump has a Teflon-like quality to him in all of his scandals and crimes. He's done so many scandalous things that it doesn't really matter if another one comes along.”
