London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Apr 02, 2025

Trump to Be Sentenced in Hush Money Case Just Days Prior to Inauguration

The sentencing represents an unprecedented event in U.S. history, with President-elect Trump confronting legal repercussions for falsifying business records.
Donald Trump, set to assume the presidency, will be sentenced on January 10 in a criminal case concerning falsified business records tied to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress. This sentencing occurs just ten days before Trump's inauguration, a first in U.S. history, as no sitting or former president has previously faced criminal charges.

Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the trial, signaled that the 78-year-old Trump is unlikely to receive a jail sentence, proposing an 'unconditional discharge'—implying no prison time, fine, or probation. Trump may attend the sentencing either in person or virtually.

The case originates from a $130,000 payment by Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to Daniels to prevent her from discussing an alleged sexual encounter with Trump. Trump disputes the encounter, but in May, a Manhattan jury found him guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide the payment before the 2016 election.

In response, Trump's legal team intends to appeal the conviction. Earlier, Merchan had denied Trump's motion to dismiss the case, which argued for leniency due to his election win and national contributions. The judge asserted that dismissing the verdict would 'undermine the Rule of Law.'

Merchan also criticized Trump's public disparagement of the justice system and noted his repeated violations of court orders limiting out-of-court comments. Trump faced ten contempt charges during the trial. On his Truth Social platform, Trump labeled the charges as 'fake,' accusing the judge of acting for a politically driven 'Biden/Harris Injustice Department.'

The case is among several legal challenges Trump faced in 2023, including issues related to classified documents and attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Following Trump's November presidential election victory, federal charges were dropped, but a state case in Georgia is still pending.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, headed by Alvin Bragg, maintained that the falsification of business records was a personal crime unrelated to Trump's presidential duties, countering the argument that presidential immunity should apply.

Trump's sentencing, initially set for July 2024, was delayed multiple times, including post-election. Legal experts and the U.S. Justice Department forecasted that incarceration was unlikely due to Trump's age, lack of prior criminal record, and the nature of the charges.

This case highlights the friction between the legal system and the political arena, as Trump enters the presidency with a criminal conviction. Justice Merchan stressed that concluding the case before Trump took office was less disruptive than leaving it unresolved during his presidency. Trump's sentencing represents a crucial juncture in the interplay of U.S. law and politics, with profound effects on the judiciary, the presidency, and public confidence in democratic institutions.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Europe Pursues Digital Autonomy Amidst Transatlantic Strains
OpenAI Lands Unprecedented $40 Billion Funding.
Charity Chairwoman Accuses Prince Harry of Bullying and Harassment
DOGE revealed that USAID provided $84 million to the Clinton Foundation. Of this amount, $3 million was spent on Chelsea Clinton's wedding, and $10 million was used to acquire a lavish mansion.
The State Department has announced the formal closure of USAID.
Apple's Innovation Deficit: Falling Behind in AI and Foldable Technology as Chinese Developments Progress
President Trump Proposes Military Intervention to Obtain Greenland
Passenger Taken into Custody After Engaging in Masturbation on SWISS Air Flight
Barcelona player Dani Alves found not guilty of rape accusations.
PUTIN'S LIMOUSINE DETONATES—SECURITY CHAOS ENSUES
French Foreign Ministry Denounces U.S. Interference in Corporate Diversity Initiatives
Copyright Issues Emerge as AI-Generated Studio Ghibli Images Gain Popularity
This is what we refer to as CREATIVITY.
Removing the Political Opponent Means Dismissing the Remnants of Turkey's Economy.
Malaysia Strengthens Semiconductor Regulations in Response to U.S. Pressure to Restrict AI NVIDIA Chip Exports to China.
OpenAI Launches New Image Generation Tool for ChatGPT
Ex-FIFA President and French Football Icon Acquitted of Corruption Allegations
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz Under Investigation After Journalist Added to Secret Military Chat
Ex-Business Partner of Hunter Biden Discusses Possible Pardon from President Trump
U.S. Attorney General Announces Task Force to Prosecute Government Fraud
American Brands Face Consumer Boycott in Europe Amid Escalating Trade and Political Tensions
White House Investigates Security Breach After Journalist Accidentally Added to Secret Yemen Strike Chat
Samsung Executive Han Jong-hee Dies Suddenly Amid Ongoing Corporate Challenges
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has just signed off on a national debt hike to fast-track Germany’s militarization
Heathrow Airport Restarts Services as Investigation into Power Outage Commences
Pope Francis Released from Hospital Following Pneumonia Treatment
Pope Francis Appears in Public for the First Time in Five Weeks After His Hospital Stay
Usha Vance to Head U.S. Delegation During Greenland Visit Amid Discussions on Annexation
Trump suggests US could join British Commonwealth if offered by King Charles
Elon Musk Files Lawsuit Against Jamaal Bowman for Defamatory Remarks
European Countries to Boost Defense Expenditures in Response to Changes in U.S. Assistance
Iconic Boxer George Foreman Dies at 76
European Airline Shares Fall Following Disruption from Heathrow Power Outage
Pope Francis Set to Leave Hospital Following Recovery from Pneumonia
Thousands Take to the Streets in Amsterdam to Protest Racism and Fascism
Revealing the Electromagnetic Characteristics of the Great Pyramid of Giza
President Trump Cancels Security Clearances for Notable Political Figures.
The Development of China's Automotive Sector
Netanyahu Dismisses Shin Bet Chief Amid 'Loss of Trust' and 'Qatargate' Corruption Investigations Involving Netanyahu's Advisors
UK Conservatives Remain Optimistic Despite Polling Challenges
Labour MPs Unveil Initiative to Combat Harmful Influencers and Advocate for Healthy Masculinity
Miami Beach Mayor Cancels Plan to Expel Cinema Following Documentary Showing
Thousands of Drones Illuminate the Sky in Honor of Trump.
Leaders of the US and Ukraine Participate in Constructive Call During Ongoing Conflict
Elon Musk's X Experiences Valuation Recovery to $44 billion.
UK Government Set to Implement Major Budget Cuts in Spring Statement
US Federal Reserve Downgrades Economic Growth Outlook Due to Tariff Uncertainty
EU Claims US Tech Giants Have Violated Digital Regulations
Canada Denounces the Execution of Its Citizens in China Amid Rising Tensions
European Union Moves Toward Joint Debt for Military Spending
×