The term "Florida Man" has become a popular internet meme, based on the idea that the state is home to individuals prone to irrational or outlandish behaviour.
A CNN article on the meme suggested that the abundance of bizarre incidents in Florida can be attributed to several factors: public records laws that make police reports easily accessible to journalists, the state’s large population, its wildly unpredictable weather, and, frankly, limited mental health funding. There’s even an internet game called the Florida Man Birthday Challenge , where one types in their birthday followed by “Florida Man” to discover the wild adventure of a Florida resident on that day. Going forward, 15th September will read: “Florida Man tries to assassinate Donald Trump.”
It’s easy to forget that one Donald J. Trump is himself a “Florida Man” who will, in fact, be able to vote despite being a felon. While Florida generally places obstacles for individuals with felony convictions who wish to restore their voting rights, former President Donald Trump will have no issue casting a ballot for himself today.
Earlier this year, Trump was convicted in Manhattan on 34 counts of falsifying business records linked to hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. He became the first former US president to be convicted of a felony, with sentencing scheduled for 26 November.
Florida law states that if a voter has a conviction from another state, Florida will defer to that state’s laws concerning the restoration of voting rights for those with felony convictions. In Trump’s case, this means he benefits from a 2021 New York law allowing people with felony convictions to vote as long as they are not serving a prison sentence at the time of the election.
For other Floridians with felony convictions, the process is far more complicated.
In 2018, a successful ballot initiative intended to restore voting rights to those who had completed their sentences was effectively overturned by Republican lawmakers in the state. They passed legislation requiring that all fines and fees tied to a conviction be paid in full—a requirement made more difficult by the lack of a centralised system to track outstanding financial obligations.
What are the charges against Trump?
As of 5 November 2024, former President Donald Trump faces multiple legal challenges across both criminal and civil courts. Below is an overview of the key cases and charges against him:
1) New York Hush Money Case
Charges: In March 2023, Trump was indicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, linked to alleged hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign to suppress information about an alleged affair.
Status: On 30 May 2024, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty on all counts, marking the first time a former US president has been convicted of a felony. Sentencing is set for 26 November 2024.
2) Federal Classified Documents Case
Charges: In June 2023, Trump was indicted on 40 federal counts related to the mishandling of classified documents. It is alleged that he unlawfully retained sensitive government documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate and obstructed efforts to retrieve them.
Status: In July 2024, US District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case, ruling that Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment was unconstitutional. The Special Counsel’s office has appealed the dismissal, and the case is pending further judicial review.
Federal Election Interference Case
Charges: In August 2023, Trump was indicted on four federal counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstructing an official proceeding. These charges relate to alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results and his involvement in the January 6 Capitol attack.
Status: The case is currently pending, with legal proceedings ongoing.
3) Georgia Election Interference Case
Charges: In August 2023, Trump was indicted on state charges in Georgia, including allegations of racketeering and conspiracy to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.
Status: Some charges have been dismissed, and the case is subject to ongoing legal challenges and delays.
4) New York Civil Fraud Case
Allegations: New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a civil lawsuit accusing Trump and his organisation of inflating asset values to secure favourable loans and insurance terms.
Status: In September 2023, Trump was found liable for financial fraud and ordered to pay a substantial judgment, which is currently under appeal.
5) E. Jean Carroll Defamation and Battery Case
Allegations: Writer E. Jean Carroll sued Trump for defamation and battery, alleging that he sexually assaulted her in the 1990s and later defamed her by denying the allegations.
Status: In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages. Trump has appealed the verdict.
These cases collectively represent significant legal challenges for the former president, with potential implications for his political and personal future.
A CNN article on the meme suggested that the abundance of bizarre incidents in Florida can be attributed to several factors: public records laws that make police reports easily accessible to journalists, the state’s large population, its wildly unpredictable weather, and, frankly, limited mental health funding. There’s even an internet game called the Florida Man Birthday Challenge , where one types in their birthday followed by “Florida Man” to discover the wild adventure of a Florida resident on that day. Going forward, 15th September will read: “Florida Man tries to assassinate Donald Trump.”
It’s easy to forget that one Donald J. Trump is himself a “Florida Man” who will, in fact, be able to vote despite being a felon. While Florida generally places obstacles for individuals with felony convictions who wish to restore their voting rights, former President Donald Trump will have no issue casting a ballot for himself today.
Earlier this year, Trump was convicted in Manhattan on 34 counts of falsifying business records linked to hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. He became the first former US president to be convicted of a felony, with sentencing scheduled for 26 November.
Florida law states that if a voter has a conviction from another state, Florida will defer to that state’s laws concerning the restoration of voting rights for those with felony convictions. In Trump’s case, this means he benefits from a 2021 New York law allowing people with felony convictions to vote as long as they are not serving a prison sentence at the time of the election.
For other Floridians with felony convictions, the process is far more complicated.
In 2018, a successful ballot initiative intended to restore voting rights to those who had completed their sentences was effectively overturned by Republican lawmakers in the state. They passed legislation requiring that all fines and fees tied to a conviction be paid in full—a requirement made more difficult by the lack of a centralised system to track outstanding financial obligations.
What are the charges against Trump?
As of 5 November 2024, former President Donald Trump faces multiple legal challenges across both criminal and civil courts. Below is an overview of the key cases and charges against him:
1) New York Hush Money Case
Charges: In March 2023, Trump was indicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, linked to alleged hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign to suppress information about an alleged affair.
Status: On 30 May 2024, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty on all counts, marking the first time a former US president has been convicted of a felony. Sentencing is set for 26 November 2024.
2) Federal Classified Documents Case
Charges: In June 2023, Trump was indicted on 40 federal counts related to the mishandling of classified documents. It is alleged that he unlawfully retained sensitive government documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate and obstructed efforts to retrieve them.
Status: In July 2024, US District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case, ruling that Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment was unconstitutional. The Special Counsel’s office has appealed the dismissal, and the case is pending further judicial review.
Federal Election Interference Case
Charges: In August 2023, Trump was indicted on four federal counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstructing an official proceeding. These charges relate to alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results and his involvement in the January 6 Capitol attack.
Status: The case is currently pending, with legal proceedings ongoing.
3) Georgia Election Interference Case
Charges: In August 2023, Trump was indicted on state charges in Georgia, including allegations of racketeering and conspiracy to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.
Status: Some charges have been dismissed, and the case is subject to ongoing legal challenges and delays.
4) New York Civil Fraud Case
Allegations: New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a civil lawsuit accusing Trump and his organisation of inflating asset values to secure favourable loans and insurance terms.
Status: In September 2023, Trump was found liable for financial fraud and ordered to pay a substantial judgment, which is currently under appeal.
5) E. Jean Carroll Defamation and Battery Case
Allegations: Writer E. Jean Carroll sued Trump for defamation and battery, alleging that he sexually assaulted her in the 1990s and later defamed her by denying the allegations.
Status: In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages. Trump has appealed the verdict.
These cases collectively represent significant legal challenges for the former president, with potential implications for his political and personal future.
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