“The only lawful sentence that allows for a judgment of conviction without infringing on the office of the presidency is an unconditional discharge.”
Trump attended the sentencing virtually, while the judge, attorneys, and media gathered in the Manhattan courtroom where the high-profile trial unfolded. The trial was marked by intense legal battles and Trump’s fiery public remarks.
“This has been a horrible experience—a tremendous setback for New York and its court system,” Trump remarked before the sentence was handed down.
“It was all done to tarnish my reputation and make me lose the election.”
Appearing on video, Trump was seen with two large U.S. flags behind him, dressed in a red-and-white-striped tie, visibly impatient as the proceedings progressed.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass described Trump’s actions as a “deliberate and ongoing act of deception.”
“The jury’s unanimous and decisive verdict must be respected,” Steinglass said.
Witnesses testified during the trial that Trump fraudulently concealed payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to prevent her from disclosing their alleged affair ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump won that election.
Trump’s legal team sought to delay the criminal proceedings after the New York State appeals court dismissed his bid to postpone the hearing. However, the Supreme Court ruled that sentencing could proceed. Prosecutors opposed any delay, arguing it was inappropriate for the Supreme Court to intervene while Trump still had legal avenues of appeal in New York. The sentencing came just days before Trump’s scheduled inauguration for a second term.
First Presidential Conviction
An unconditional discharge affirms the jury’s guilty verdict without imposing penalties or restrictions, cementing Trump’s status as the first former U.S. president convicted of a felony.
The 78-year-old faced the possibility of up to four years in prison.
“He’s mocking the judge, the jury, and the justice system,” said Bennett Gershman, a former prosecutor and legal scholar at Pace University, before the sentencing.
Outside the courthouse, Trump supporters waved a massive banner bearing his name while battling strong winds. Meanwhile, anti-Trump demonstrators carried signs proclaiming, “Trump is guilty.”
Trump’s lawyers argued for a delay in sentencing pending his appeal, but New York State Associate Justice Ellen Gesmer denied the request earlier in the week.
Trump has repeatedly called the prosecution a “witch hunt,” which Steinglass described as an effort “to create a chilling effect.”
“This defendant has inflicted lasting damage on the public’s trust in the criminal justice system,” Steinglass added.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Trump was officially declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election on Monday, just four years after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn his 2020 loss.
