Donald Trump avoided any penalties in his “hush money” case on Friday after a Manhattan judge sentenced him without jail time or fines. This decision solidifies Trump as the first convicted felon to become president while leaving him free to prepare for his return to the White House.
Trump, 78, announced his intent to appeal the decision on Truth Social, calling the case a “pathetic, un-American Witch Hunt” and vowing to restore trust in the justice system.
Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the trial that found Trump guilty of hiding a payoff to cover up a scandal, handed down an “unconditional discharge.” Speaking via video from Palm Beach, Florida, Trump listened as Merchan wished him “Godspeed” as he takes on his second term.
The former president faced 34 felony charges of falsifying business records, which could have led to years in prison. Instead, Merchan’s ruling means Trump won’t serve jail time, be on probation, or pay fines.
This makes Trump the only U.S. president ever convicted of felony charges, but the decision clears the way for him to appeal what he claims was a politically motivated trial.
Trump, who endured nearly two months in court during the trial, was allowed to appear virtually for the sentencing. Sitting next to his attorney, Todd Blanche, he called the case an “injustice” and maintained his innocence in a six-minute address from Mar-a-Lago.
“This case should never have been brought,” Trump said, calling the trial an “embarrassment to New York” and himself “totally innocent.”
The hearing was attended by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat and the prosecutor behind the case, who quietly observed from the second row.
