Trump sentenced to ‘unconditional discharge’ over hush money conviction

Despite Donald Trump's last-minute attempts to escape becoming the first convicted felon in the White House, a court sentenced him to an unconditional discharge on Friday for hiding hush money payments to a porn star.

Although Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying company documents in May 2024, the judge saved him from jail time or a fine.

Rather, New York Judge Juan Merchan granted an unconditional discharge, which is a relatively uncommon criminal penalty.

Merchan said, "This court has never before been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances."

"Unconditional discharge is the only legal punishment that allows the entry of a conviction judgment without infringing upon the highest office of the land."

As the judge, attorneys, and reporters crowded the Manhattan courtroom—the site of a spectacular trial that featured legal fighting and Trump's vehement public remarks—Trump virtually attended the sentencing.


"This experience has been awful. Before the discharge was announced, Trump stated, "I think it's been a tremendous setback for New York and the New York court system."

"My reputation was harmed in order for me to lose the election."
During his video appearance, Trump was seen sporting a crimson tie with white stripes and watching the proceedings eagerly with two giant US flags behind him.

Before being sentenced, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass called Trump's acts a "premeditated and continuous deception."

According to Steinglass, "the decision in this case was unanimous and decisive, and it must be respected."

In order to keep porn star Stormy Daniels from disclosing their alleged romance before the 2016 presidential election, which Trump won, Trump deceitfully disguised payments to her, according to testimony given by witnesses throughout the trial.

After his bid to postpone the hearing was denied by the New York State appeals court, Trump requested a suspension of the criminal proceedings. But the Supreme Court decided that the sentencing may go forward.

Ten days before Trump is scheduled to take office for a second term, prosecutors argued against delaying the sentencing, arguing that it was inappropriate for the Supreme Court to step in when Trump still had legal appeals available in New York.

The first conviction of a president

Trump's status as the first former president convicted of a felony is cemented with an unconditional discharge, which affirms the jury's guilty judgment without adding penalties or limitations.

The 78-year-old might have been imprisoned for up to four years.
Trump fans battled fierce gusts to hold a huge banner bearing his name outside the courthouse, while anti-Trump protesters gathered holding posters that said, "Trump is guilty."

Earlier this week, New York State Associate Justice Ellen Gesmer denied Trump's legal team's request to postpone the sentencing until after his appeal.

Steinglass claimed that Trump's repeated comments of the prosecution being a "witch hunt" were "meant to have a chilling effect."

"The public's perception of the criminal justice system has been permanently harmed by this defendant," Steinglass continued.

Only four years after his supporters stormed the US Capitol to overturn his 2020 defeat, Trump was officially declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election on Monday, despite the controversy.

AFP