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In a historic moment for American politics, Donald Trump received no penalty during his sentencing hearing on Friday for a felony conviction related to concealing hush money payments, becoming the first person with a felony conviction to assume the presidency.
During the proceedings, Justice Juan Merchan, who presided over a trial involving payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal, issued an “unconditional discharge” to the president-elect.
Trump just went off for 6 minutes in his sentencing about what a sham the case was, even calling out the political operatives involved.
This is so good. pic.twitter.com/2vL8bHqKf1
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) January 10, 2025
“Sir, I wish you Godspeed as you assume a second term in office,” Merchan stated.
The 78-year-old Trump, who appeared remotely from Florida against a backdrop of American flags, avoided jail time, probation, and financial penalties. This sentencing marks him as the only U.S. president to receive a felony conviction, while also opening the door for him to appeal what he describes as a politically motivated prosecution.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who made history by being the first prosecutor to try a U.S. president, was present in the courtroom’s second row.
Prior to sentencing, Trump voiced his objections to the case. “This is a case that should have never been brought, it’s an injustice, of justice,” he declared. “The fact is, I’m totally innocent, I did nothing wrong.” He further criticized the proceedings as “an embarrassment to New York” and maintained he was “treated very unfairly.”
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass emphasized that the verdict was “unanimous and decisive” and “must be respected.” He criticized Trump’s behavior during the trial, particularly his threatening remarks toward court officials. “Such threats are designed to have a chilling effect, to intimate folks, who have a responsibility to enforce our laws…. Because they fear he is simply too powerful to be held to the same rule of law as the rest of us,” Steinglass argued.
The six-week trial featured testimony from key figures including Daniels, who detailed an alleged intimate encounter with Trump at a 2006 golf tournament. Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney, served as the prosecution’s primary witness, revealing details about the payment arrangements.
Evidence presented included recordings of Trump discussing payments, with one featuring him asking, “What do we got to pay for this? One-fifty?” regarding McDougal’s situation. The case centered on Trump’s alleged falsification of business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to Daniels before the 2016 election.
Cohen testified about Trump’s approval of the payments, stating, “He said, ‘Absolutely. Do it. Take care of it.'” The prosecution presented extensive documentation, including invoices and checks, showing how the Trump Organization disguised reimbursements to Cohen.
Judge Merchan basically proved Trump’s “hush money” case was politically motivated by sentencing him to NOTHING!
Democrats just wanted the “convicted felon” smear to use during the campaign.
If you can’t see this, you may need mental health treatment. pic.twitter.com/xi9FMh6fJq
— Right Winged Angel (@RightWngdAngel) January 10, 2025
Throughout the trial, Trump maintained his innocence and criticized various aspects of the proceedings, from the judge to the courtroom temperature, claiming without evidence that everything was “rigged” against him.
The case, brought by Democratic DA Bragg, employed a complex legal strategy that elevated the charges from misdemeanors to felonies by connecting them to election law violations. The prosecution argued that the payments were part of an illegal scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election.
This case represents the only one of Trump’s four criminal cases to reach trial, with his other legal challenges facing various delays or complications. The federal cases regarding classified documents and the January 6 riot, along with Georgia’s election interference case, remain unresolved as Trump prepares to return to the White House.
