Donald Trump, recently elected as the 47th president of the United States, is set to be sentenced on January 10, just 12 days before his inauguration. The sentencing relates to his May conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. These charges stem from a $130,000 payment made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 election, aimed at silencing allegations of an affair.
New York Justice Juan Merchan has indicated Trump will not face jail time, probation, or fines. Instead, Trump is expected to receive an “unconditional discharge.” The judge’s decision allows the president-elect to attend the sentencing either in person or virtually.
Trump, 78, has denied all wrongdoing, maintaining the case is a politically motivated attempt to undermine his 2024 presidential campaign. On his Truth Social platform, he called the sentencing order a “rigged charade” and claimed it violated the Constitution. His spokesperson, Steven Cheung, decried the case as a continuation of the “witch hunt” against Trump, insisting it obstructs the presidential transition.
Trump’s legal team argued that the case’s timing would hinder his ability to govern. However, Justice Merchan rejected their request to overturn the jury’s verdict, suggesting measures such as delaying the sentencing until Trump leaves office in 2029 or ensuring a non-custodial sentence.
While falsifying business records can result in up to four years in prison, legal experts long considered incarceration unlikely due to Trump’s age and lack of prior convictions.
The January 10 sentencing marks an unprecedented moment, with Trump becoming the first convicted felon to serve in the White House. Despite this, his legal battles continue. Trump faces three additional criminal cases, including one over classified documents and two related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
An appeal of the hush-money conviction remains a possibility post-sentencing, as Trump’s legal team seeks to clear his name while preparing for the challenges of his upcoming presidency.
