President-elect Donald Trump has been spared jail time and fines following his conviction in the hush money case, as a Manhattan judge granted him an unconditional discharge. This decision concludes a legal saga that has cast a shadow over his path to reclaiming the presidency, just days before his January 20 inauguration.
Justice Juan Merchan’s ruling places a judgment of guilt on Trump’s permanent record but imposes no additional penalties such as incarceration, probation, or fines. Trump, 78, maintains his innocence and intends to appeal the conviction, a process that could extend into his upcoming four-year presidential term.
Appearing virtually in court, Trump, dressed in a red tie with white stripes, criticized the case as a “political witch hunt” aimed at damaging his reputation. Despite not testifying during the trial, he firmly denied any wrongdoing.
Historic Legal Proceedings
The case marks the first criminal conviction of a U.S. president, past or present. Trump was charged in March 2023 with 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
Prosecutors argued the payment was intended to influence the election, which Trump won against Democrat Hillary Clinton. A Manhattan jury found Trump guilty on all counts in May 2023.
Political and Legal Fallout
The trial unfolded amidst Trump’s successful campaign to return to the White House. Contributions to his campaign surged after his indictment, though his popularity among Republicans dipped after the guilty verdict.
The case is one of several legal challenges Trump faces, including accusations of election interference and mishandling classified documents. However, federal prosecutors paused their cases against Trump following his election victory, adhering to Justice Department policy against prosecuting sitting presidents.
The hush money trial is viewed as less severe than the other cases. However, it remains a significant episode in Trump’s legal and political journey, with Justice Merchan highlighting Trump’s disrespectful conduct during the trial.
Merchan initially scheduled sentencing for July 2024 but postponed it multiple times at Trump’s request. He ultimately deferred sentencing until after the election to avoid any appearance of bias.
Despite the potential for a harsher sentence, Trump’s advanced age, clean criminal record, and election victory made jail time or probation unlikely.
