Yesterday, Donald J. Trump became a convicted felon. This happened due to the case that many experts initially dismissed—some arguing it should never have been brought, others saying it should have been filed last. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s hush money case involving Stormy Daniels resulted in 34 felony counts. While no punishment has been imposed, this marks a permanent stain on Trump’s legacy.
It’s akin to a scarlet letter. Of course, Trump already had several “A” letters: one for his one-night stand with Stormy Daniels, another for his 10-month affair with Karen McDougal that began in July 2006 (just months after Melania gave birth to their son, Barron), and yet another for his affair with Marla Maples in 1990 while married to Ivana Trump. Perhaps Trump imagines himself as a high school athlete collecting letters for his jacket. His legacy now includes three of the letter “A” that we know of—symbols of his tarnished character.
Trump’s obsession with his legacy rivals his care for his brand. It’s one reason he fought so hard to avoid sentencing in Manhattan—he didn’t want the metaphorical scarlet “F” for “Felon” stamped on his chest.
Yet Trump remains extraordinarily fortunate. His election as the 47th president terminated the Federal Election Interference Case (2023) and the Classified Documents Case (2023). The Georgia Election Interference Case (2023) has been sidelined, perhaps permanently. For this, Trump earns the letter “L” for “Lucky.”
It’s critical to remind people who Trump is continually. He doesn’t have bona fides (good faith or legitimate credentials); instead, he embodies mala fides—bad faith, deceit, and dishonesty.
The Puritans expected righteous behavior and punished lawbreakers with public shaming. True, Trump—a narcissist—doesn’t feel shame, but his criminality nonetheless overshadows his legacy. His unrepentant behavior should be ever-present in public discourse.
Had the Puritans been around today, they would have given him not only the “A” for adultery but also a “P” for perjury, given his 30,573 documented lies during his first term as president. For his disregard of governing norms and offensive conduct, he’d earn an “H” for heresy. While Trump isn’t religious (despite his infamous “Two Corinthians” comment), his political heresy cannot be overlooked.
Trump’s two impeachments, in 2019 and 2021, warrant two “I”s. Despite his extraordinary criminal achievements (or mob boss-like behavior), these impeachments deeply bothered him. Unable to erase his scarlet “I,” he sought retribution. This led to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s September 2023 announcement of an impeachment inquiry into President Biden—a baseless effort filled with smoke but no fire, led by Rep. James Comer, one of Congress’s most clownish figures.
E. Jean Carroll’s legal victories against Trump—one for defamation in 2022 and another for defamation and sexual assault in 2023—earned him two of the letter “D.” With over 24 women accusing him of sexual misconduct, Trump also deserves the compound letter “SP” for “Sexual Predator.”
The list of Trump’s transgressions doesn’t end there. Consider the following.
Tax Fraud: The Trump Organization was convicted of tax fraud in 2022 and again in 2024, earning him two of the letter “TF.”
Charity Fraud: In 2018, the New York Attorney General sued the Trump Foundation. A 2019 settlement dissolved the charity and fined Trump $2 million for violating charity laws. For this, he receives an “NC” for “Not Charitable.”
Swindler: In 2016, Trump settled lawsuits over Trump University for $25 million. This scam earns him an “S.”
Bankruptcy: Trump filed for bankruptcy six times between 1991 and 2014, warranting a “B.”
Racism: The 1973 DOJ lawsuit against Trump Management Inc. for housing discrimination earns him an “R.”
We would be remiss if we ignored Trump’s earliest known fraud—his claim of an imaginary bone spur to secure a medical deferment and avoid serving in the Vietnam War, resulting in a 4-F designation. Ironically, this deception was entirely unnecessary, as his draft lottery number was 356. The highest number called in 1969 was 195, meaning he was never at risk of being drafted. His final scarlet letter is thus the very first one he earned: “4-F.”
These “achievements” are analogous to educational degrees. Trump, who holds a BS from the University of Pennsylvania, could now add the following to his name: Donald J. Trump, BS, A, F, L, P, H, I, D, SP, TF, NC, S, B, R, 45, 47, 4F—an unrepentant career criminal.
