Donald Trump has been given an unconditional discharge following his conviction in the Stormy Daniels hush money case. The decision means the incoming US president will not face jail time, probation, or a fine.
Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan, who had the authority to sentence Trump to up to four years in prison, announced the verdict. This sentencing occurs just days before the 78-year-old is set to be inaugurated for his second term as US president on January 20.
Trump appeared at the hearing via videolink, addressing the court before his sentencing. He described the case as a “very terrible experience” and claimed it was handled inappropriately by individuals with connections to his political opponents, specifically referring to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
“It was done to damage my reputation so I would lose the election,” Trump stated. “This has been a political witch hunt. I am totally innocent. I did nothing wrong.” Concluding his remarks, he added, “I was treated very unfairly, and I thank you very much.”
Judge Merchan emphasized his responsibility to determine a just conclusion. Despite the guilty verdict, the judge opted for an unconditional discharge, a sentencing decision under New York law that imposes no imprisonment, fine, or probation supervision when the court determines no purpose would be served by imposing conditions.
Prosecutor Matthew Steinglass criticized Trump’s conduct, stating, “He’s been unrelenting in his attacks against this court, prosecutors, and their families. His dangerous rhetoric and unconstitutional conduct have been a direct attack on the rule of law, and he has publicly threatened to retaliate against the prosecutors.” Steinglass further argued that Trump’s actions were “designed to have a chilling effect and to intimidate.”
Trump’s legal team attempted a last-minute appeal to the US Supreme Court to delay sentencing, arguing that evidence used during the trial violated a prior ruling granting Trump broad immunity for acts committed as president. However, the Supreme Court rejected this appeal.
Trump’s conviction in May 2024 made him the first person convicted of a felony to assume the US presidency. The charges included 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors alleged Trump paid Daniels $130,000 to prevent her from disclosing details of an alleged sexual relationship in 2006, a claim Trump has consistently denied.
Despite the conviction, the trial’s outcome did not deter American voters, who elected him for a second term. Legal experts noted that the unconditional discharge resolves the hush money case without imposing any penalties that might impede Trump’s ability to serve as president.
Unconditional discharges are not uncommon in New York for cases involving convictions of falsifying business records. The decision underscores the judge’s view that imposing further penalties on Trump would serve no proper purpose under the circumstances.
