Donald Trump faced no punishment for his criminal conviction in the Manhattan hush money case, concluding a legal battle that has made him the nation’s first felon-turned-president.
At Friday’s sentencing, a New York judge declined to impose prison time or fines after a jury convicted Trump of 34 felony counts of business fraud related to a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.
“This court has determined that the only lawful sentence that permits entry of judgment of conviction without encroachment on the highest office of the land is a sentence of unconditional discharge,” Justice Juan Merchan stated.
While emphasizing the seriousness of Trump’s crime, Merchan acknowledged the “extraordinary legal protections” Trump will have as president, which influenced the sentencing decision.
Listen: Trump receives 'unconditional discharge' in hush money sentencing
Friday’s sentencing, though devoid of punitive measures, marks a notable chapter in Trump’s legal entanglements. Despite facing four simultaneous criminal indictments, his lone conviction last May did not impede his path to reelection and will likely remain more a political blemish than a legal barrier.
Under New York law, Trump’s conviction allowed for a sentence of up to four years in prison. However, Merchan had previously indicated that incarceration was not “practicable” given Trump’s imminent assumption of the presidency. Instead, Merchan delivered an unconditional discharge, a sentence with no punishment attached. Trump participated remotely from Florida, appearing on large monitors in the Manhattan courtroom as the judge announced his decision. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his team were present in person.
Throughout the proceedings, Trump maintained his trademark defiance, declaring himself “totally innocent.”
“This has been a very terrible experience,” Trump said, seated next to his lawyer Todd Blanche, flanked by American flags. “It has been a tremendous setback for New York and the New York court system. It was done to damage my reputation so I would lose the election — obviously, that didn’t work.”
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass endorsed the unconditional discharge, citing the unique circumstances of the case but criticized Trump’s impact on public trust in the justice system.
“Put simply, this defendant has caused enduring damage to public perception of the criminal justice system and has placed officers of the court in harm’s way,” Steinglass said. He also noted Trump’s refusal to accept responsibility, as detailed in his probation report.
Following the sentencing, Trump announced plans to appeal. “Today’s event was a despicable charade, and now that it is over, we will appeal this Hoax, which has no merit, and restore the trust of Americans in our once great System of Justice,” he wrote on Truth Social.
While unconditional discharge sentences are not uncommon for low-level offenses, they are unusual in felony cases, legal experts note. Despite anticipating no punishment, Trump and his legal team fiercely contested the sentencing process.
