New York – US President-elect Donald Trump is set to be sentenced on January 10, 2025, in the notorious hush money case, just days before his scheduled return to the White House. This decision was made by New York Judge Juan Merchan in an 18-page ruling announced on Saturday.
Sentencing Details:
- Trump will receive a conditional discharge, which means the case will be dismissed provided he avoids further legal trouble.
- The former President has the option to attend the sentencing either in person or virtually.
- Judge Merchan stated there would be no incarceration, noting that prosecutors did not consider jail time practical.
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The Hush Money Case: The case revolves around a payment allegedly made by Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 to keep silent about an alleged affair with Trump during the 2016 election campaign, a claim Trump has consistently denied.
- Conviction: In May of the previous year, Trump was convicted on 34 counts of felony for falsifying business records related to this payment, which was disguised as legal expenses in violation of state election law.
- Legal Arguments: Trump’s legal team attempted to have the case dismissed, citing, among other reasons, a Supreme Court ruling granting former presidents immunity for certain official acts.
Trump’s Reaction: Trump has denounced his impending sentencing as an “illegitimate political attack,” labeling it a “Rigged Charade” on his Truth Social platform. His spokesperson, Steven Cheung, criticized the ruling as a “violation of presidential immunity,” claiming it contradicts recent Supreme Court decisions.
This sentencing marks a historic moment as Trump will return to the presidency with a criminal conviction on his record, setting a precedent for how legal accountability intersects with political leadership. An appeal is expected, which could potentially delay or alter the sentencing implications.
