Trump receives his sentence in the Stormy Daniels case

Donald Trump fought hard right up to the last minute to try and escape sentencing.

He finally received his sentence, with the judge granting him an “unconditional discharge” after he was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments intended to conceal an alleged affair with Stormy Daniels.

President-elect Donald Trump is set to be sentenced Friday, as part of a case in which a New York jury convicted him on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to an adult-film actress shortly before the 2016 electionLive updates here:

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost.com) 2025-01-10T14:28:16.105Z

Recall that Donald Trump’s high-profile trial in this case took place from April 15 to May 30, 2024.

Trump appeared via videoconference to receive his sentence, finally handed down on the morning of January 10.

His urgent request to the Supreme Court to prevent the hearing from taking place had been rejected the day before, with the close 5-4 decision going against the former president.

At his sentencing hearing via Zoom, prosecuting attorney Joshua Steinglass sharply criticized Trump, saying he had done lasting damage to public perception of the criminal justice system and considered himself above the law.

Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche says the trial has been a terrible experience for his client.

Trump spoke out to share his experience, declaring the ruling a setback for New York’s justice system.

He also said that Alvin Bragg had not wished to pursue the case, claiming that it had been mishandled and should never have been brought to court.

Trump’s conviction in this case constitutes a Class E misdemeanor in New York, punishable by up to four years in prison.

However, most people convicted receive probation rather than jail time.

Nevertheless, it was clear that Trump would not face a harsh sentence, especially after Judge Juan Merchan’s opinion was posted last week.

He said the trial represented “a truly extraordinary case”, but that once the trial got underway, it was just another trial. Merchan also pointed out that the legal protections surrounding a president are exceptional, but the person himself is not.

Merchan ultimately granted him an “unconditional discharge”, without jail time, fines or probation, while noting that one power they don’t grant is the power to erase a jury’s verdict, making Trump’s conviction official.

Trump is doing well in this high-profile court case, escaping punishment for his actions.

However, the conviction remains on his criminal record, making him the first American president to have a criminal conviction to his credit.

This chapter is unlikely to be over for Trump, as his lawyer has announced their intention to appeal the verdict.