Trump Sentenced to Unconditional Discharge in Historic Hush-Money Case

In a landmark decision, Justice Juan Merchan sentenced former US President Donald Trump to an unconditional discharge in a hush-money case linked to his 2016 presidential campaign. This unprecedented outcome means Trump will assume office as the first US president with a felony conviction, yet without any imposed penalties, such as jail time or fines. During a virtual appearance from Florida, Trump maintained his innocence, describing the legal proceedings as politically motivated and filled with injustices. The case has been a focal point of legal turbulence for Trump, who has faced multiple indictments and trials over the past years.

The sentencing marks the end of an extensive legal battle that began with accusations of false business records related to hush-money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The court established that the payments were aimed at preventing damaging information from affecting the 2016 elections. Trump was initially found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in May 2024, but his legal team’s attempts to dismiss the charges have continuously encountered setbacks in higher courts.

Despite the ongoing legal challenges, the former president continues to rally his supporters, using these events to frame himself as a victim of a biased justice system. As Trump prepares for his upcoming inauguration, he stands alone as the first president to hold a felony conviction, with his historic trial now concluded. Justice Merchan concluded the session wishing him the best as he embarks on his second term, highlighting the utterly unique nature of these proceedings in American political history.