Despite the conviction, Judge Juan Merchan has signaled that Trump is unlikely to face jail time.
Trump set to be sentenced in Hush Money Case on Jan 10. Former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to be sentenced on January 10 in connection with a hush money case involving a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The payment was intended to keep Daniels silent about an alleged sexual encounter she claimed to have had with Trump in 2006, which he denies. A Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the payment.
Despite the conviction, Judge Juan Merchan has signaled that Trump is unlikely to face jail time. The judge indicated that a sentence of “unconditional discharge”—meaning no jail, fine, or probation—may be the most likely outcome. This decision comes just 10 days before Trump’s January 20 inauguration as president, marking an unprecedented scenario in United States. history, as no sitting or former president has ever faced criminal conviction.
Trump’s legal team has made it clear they intend to appeal the conviction, with Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung calling the case “lawless” and asserting that it should be dismissed. However, Judge Merchan rejected this argument, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law, even as Trump prepares for his second presidential term.
The case revolves around the payment made by Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen to Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election, which Trump tried to cover up through falsified business records. Trump’s legal battles continue, with other cases pending related to classified documents and his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
The sentencing will take place just before Trump’s inauguration, setting the stage for what could be a prolonged legal battle during his presidency.
