Former US President and President-elect Donald Trump will be sentenced today for covering up hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels, making him the first convicted felon to enter the White House.
The 78-year-old faces sentencing in a Manhattan courtroom following his May 2024 conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Despite these charges carrying potential prison terms, Judge Juan Merchan has indicated that Trump will likely receive an unconditional discharge, the lightest possible criminal sanction. This measure will uphold the guilty verdict without imposing jail time or other penalties.
Trump, who is expected to attend the sentencing virtually, unsuccessfully sought to delay the hearing through appeals up to the U.S. Supreme Court. His legal team also argued for immunity from prosecution as a President-elect, but their efforts were rejected by New York courts.
The case stems from allegations that Trump paid Stormy Daniels $130,000 in hush money during the 2016 presidential campaign to suppress claims of an affair. Testimonies during the trial included Daniels’ explicit accounts of her interactions with Trump, which he continues to deny.
This sentencing comes just 10 days before Trump is set to be inaugurated for his second presidential term, following his victory in the 2024 election. Legal analysts view the anticipated outcome as symbolic, highlighting Trump’s unique position as both a sitting President-elect and a convicted felon.
Despite the legal challenges, Trump has maintained his defiant stance, with critics accusing him of undermining the justice system. Legal expert Bennett Gershman commented, “He’s sticking his middle finger at the judge, the jury, and the system of justice.”
Trump’s lawyers are expected to continue appealing the conviction, arguing procedural flaws and immunity protections. Meanwhile, political and legal experts are closely watching how this unprecedented situation will influence Trump’s second term in office.
