In a groundbreaking moment in U.S. history, President-elect Donald Trump is set to be sentenced for his conviction in the New York hush money case. The sentencing, scheduled for Friday, will take place via a virtual court appearance from his Mar-a-Lago residence.
The case marks the culmination of years of legal battles dating back to 2018, when Manhattan prosecutors first launched their investigation.
Trump and his legal team relentlessly contested subpoenas, rulings, and charges at every stage, bringing the fight all the way to the Supreme Court on multiple occasions.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court declined to intervene, paving the way for Judge Juan Merchan to proceed with sentencing.
Despite the decision, Trump indicated plans to appeal while expressing no concerns about immediate penalties.
Judge Merchan had previously signaled in a January 3 ruling that he was inclined to issue an unconditional discharge. Such a sentence would impose neither jail time nor restrictions on Trump, allowing him to proceed with his inauguration on January 20 without hindrance.
During the hearing, Trump will have the opportunity to address the court, although he is not required to do so. Judge Merchan is also expected to make a statement before delivering the final sentence.
Trump’s conviction in May followed a seven-week trial, where a unanimous jury found him guilty of 34 felonies. The charges stemmed from falsifying records in 2017 to conceal reimbursements related to a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
The payment was made in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair with Trump before the 2016 presidential election.
Key witnesses in the trial included Daniels and Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, who facilitated the payment and was reimbursed through falsified transactions. Witnesses testified that Trump was satisfied the story remained hidden during the election, ensuring no impact on voters.
Throughout the trial, Judge Merchan held Trump in contempt ten times for violating a gag order prohibiting public comments about witnesses, court staff, and others involved in the proceedings.
Despite these infractions, Merchan repeatedly emphasized his reluctance to impose jail time, acknowledging the case’s unique nature and its high-profile defendant.
This historic sentencing represents an unprecedented chapter in American political and legal history as Trump prepares to take office once again.
