A US judge has sentenced President-elect Donald Trump in a criminal case linked to hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The sentence, while marking a conviction on his record, avoids jail time or a financial penalty, sparking further controversy around the case.
Trump, who was convicted in May of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 payment made to Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election, was facing a potential prison sentence of up to four years. However, Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan issued a ruling that spared Trump from jail or a fine, choosing instead an “unconditional discharge.” This verdict means no additional legal consequences for Trump, despite the felony conviction.
In his ruling, Judge Merchan acknowledged the unprecedented circumstances, noting the legal protections afforded to a sitting president. He emphasized that while the protections are substantial, they do not override the jury’s verdict, which found Trump guilty of falsifying records to conceal the hush money arrangement.
During the virtual hearing, Trump maintained his innocence, claiming the case was politically motivated. He argued that the conviction was part of an effort to damage his reputation and prevent him from winning the presidential election. “It was done to damage my reputation, so I would lose the election,” Trump asserted.
The hush money case stems from allegations that Trump arranged for Daniels to be paid in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair that took place a decade earlier, which Trump has denied. The payment was made in the final stretch of the 2016 campaign to avoid any public revelations that could impact his run for office.
This case marks the first time a US president has been convicted of a felony, adding to the complex legal battles Trump faces as he prepares for his upcoming term. Despite the conviction, the judge’s decision reflects the unique and challenging legal issues surrounding the case, especially given Trump’s status as the incoming president.
