Donald Trump Sentenced in Hush Money Case

President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced in New York for his conviction on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records in connection with a $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign. Despite facing up to four years in prison, Trump received an unconditional discharge, meaning no jail time, probation, or fines.

Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over the case, described it as “extraordinary.” Trump, who appeared via video from Florida, reiterated his innocence and called the case a politically motivated “witch hunt.”

This is the only one of four criminal cases against Trump to proceed to trial. Others, including allegations of classified document mishandling and election interference, stalled or were dropped after his 2024 election win.

Efforts by Trump’s legal team to overturn the conviction or delay sentencing were unsuccessful, despite appeals to the Supreme Court. The sentencing comes just days before Trump’s inauguration, marking a historic and contentious moment in U.S. politics.