Donald Trump Sentenced to Unconditional Discharge in Hush-Money Case
In a high-profile case that has drawn global attention, US President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced to “unconditional discharge” on all counts related to the hush-money payments made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels. The decision, delivered by Judge Juan Merchan in a New York courtroom, marked the conclusion of a case that has sparked heated debate across political and legal circles.
Appearing via video link, Trump remained stony-faced as he sat beside his attorney. The court session began with the prosecution requesting no prison time, probation, or fine, which aligned with the judge’s ultimate ruling.
During the proceedings, Trump described the case as a “very terrible experience,” while his lawyer argued that the charges should never have been brought forward.
Judge Merchan characterized the situation as an “extraordinary case” due to the intense public scrutiny but noted that, in the courtroom, it remained routine in terms of procedure and legal principles.
The case stems from Trump’s conviction last May on 34 counts related to the reimbursement of his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who had paid $130,000 to Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. While paying hush money is not illegal in New York, the charges were based on how the payments were recorded, raising issues of falsified business records.
This sentencing marks a pivotal moment in Trump’s post-election trajectory as he prepares to assume the presidency amid ongoing legal and political controversies.
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