Donald Trump Receives Unconditional Discharge in Hush Money Case Ahead of Inauguration

President-elect Donald Trump is sentenced to an unconditional discharge in his hush money case, becoming the first U.S. president with a felony conviction.

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Politics

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Summary

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President-elect Donald Trump has been sentenced to an unconditional discharge in his New York hush money case, avoiding jail time despite a conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The sentencing, which lasted less than half an hour, took place on January 10, 2025, just 10 days before his inauguration. Judge Juan Merchan stated that while the case's circumstances were unique, they did not lessen the severity of the crimes. Trump's defense team plans to appeal, asserting political motives behind the case.

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From the Left

A recap of the main views or arguments shared by left-leaning sources.

The 5-4 Supreme Court decision allowed Trump to face sentencing just days before his inauguration, marking a historic moment as he becomes the first former U.S. president to be convicted of a crime and face minimal consequence.
Despite a jury's verdict, Judge Merchan's choice of an 'unconditional discharge' means Trump walks away without prison time or probation, raising serious doubts about accountability for political figures accused of serious crimes.
The ruling underscores the fraught legal landscape surrounding Trump, reflecting not only the judicial challenges he faces but also the political ramifications that ripple through American society.

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From the Right

A recap of the main views or arguments shared by right-leaning sources.

Trump's virtual appearance at court for sentencing, where he faced no prison time, highlights the perceived absurdity of the legal case against him, which many believe was politically motivated.
The Supreme Court's refusal to halt the sentencing reflects a contentious debate over presidential immunity, as Trump asserts that the charges stem from a maliciously orchestrated political agenda rather than genuine legal violations.
Judge Merchan's decision to issue an unconditional discharge starkly reflects the broader criticisms of the New York legal system, which many assert has been weaponized in an effort to attack a political opponent.

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Highlights (44)

Excerpts from the underlying articles that best reflect each outlet's unique perspective on this story.

What’s a fitting punishment for a President who breaks the law? America has never been quite sure.
Donald Trump Bemoans the Injustice of Facing No Consequences
The New Yorker
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·Left
Even though six of the nine justices are Republican appointees, including three nominated by Trump himself, that does not mean he can count on the Court to rule in his favor.
Trump's latest defeat is one of many decisions that suggest SCOTUS won't rubber-stamp his agenda
Reason
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·Center
I think it’s been a tremendous setback for New York and the New York court system. ... I think it’s an embarrassment to New York, and New York has a lot of problems, but this is a great embarrassment.
Excerpts from President-elect Donald Trump’s sentencing
Associated Press
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·Center
Almost palpably agonized, Merchan on Friday told Trump: “This court has determined that the only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgment of conviction without encroaching upon the highest office in the land is an unconditional discharge.”
A Judge Finally Faced Down Donald Trump’s Disdain for the Legal System
Slate
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·Left
The only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgement of conviction without encroaching on highest office in land is an unconditional discharge.
What happened at Trump's "hush money" sentencing? A timeline of his trial from inside the court
CBS News
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·Center
Trump is now the first former or incoming U.S. president to be criminally sentenced.
New York Judge Juan Merchan made Donald Trump sentencing audio available
USA TODAY
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·Center
Trump's popularity could allow him to pass his agenda easily through Congress if Republicans rally around him. It could also strengthen the likelihood of another MAGA candidate becoming the GOP's nominee in the next presidential election, further entrenching Trump's populist and nationalist vision within the party's platform.
Donald Trump's second presidency set for a rocky start
Newsweek
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·Center
While the move was expected, he’s now a convicted felon 10 days before the start of his second term.
Trump sentenced in hush money case: no jail, no conditions
Straight Arrow News
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·Center
President-elect Trump was given no penalty in his New York hush money case this morning, but his felony conviction was cemented.
12:30 Report — Trump avoids jailtime, fine in hush money case
The Hill
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·Center
It's just the stigma of now being a convicted felon and in ten days being the first president to be sworn in as the president of the United States as a convicted felon.
Donald Trump Gets No Jail Time in Hush Money Case
Bloomberg
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·Center
Despite multitudes of evidence showing wrongdoing in the criminal cases brought toward Trump, he has often complained about supposed “lawfare” used against him. But Trump himself has promised to weaponize the law during his next term, repeatedly stating that he will use the DOJ to go after his political adversaries.
Trump Sentenced by New York Court After Supreme Court Denies Effort to Block Court Hearing
Truthout
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·Left
Part of the problem with this is that Trump, his overwrought complaints notwithstanding, was hardly punished at all.
Following criminal sentence, Trump turns to supporters for money
MSNBC
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·Left
This is a case that Alvin Bragg did not want to bring... It’s been a political witch hunt. It was done to damage my reputation so that I’d lose the election and obviously that didn’t work.
‘It Was Done… So That I’d Lose the Election’: Listen to the Defiant Courtroom Statement Donald Trump Made Before He Became a Convicted Felon
MEDIAite
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·Leans Left
While the sentencing doesn't include a jail term or fine, Judge Merchan's decision still upholds Trump’s conviction while freeing him to return to the White House.
Trump Sentenced to No Prison and No Fines in NY Case
CBN
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·Right
Once considered the premier legal system in the country, figures like New York Attorney General Letitia James, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Justices Arthur F. Engoron and Juan Merchan have caused the system to be weaponized for political purposes.
JONATHAN TURLEY: Trump's trial shows NY couldn't handle the truth. Sentence rams that home
FOX News
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Merchan, reading from a statement, briefly chastised Trump, saying no ordinary citizen would have received the legal breaks he enjoyed.
Trump's sentencing ends with no punishment, as judge wishes him 'Godspeed' in his second term in office
Business Insider
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·Center
Donald Trump, the ordinary citizen, Donald Trump the criminal defendant, would not be entitled to such considerable protections.
Listen to audio of Judge Merchan’s sentence of Trump in hush money case
NBC News
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·Center
Merchan’s sentence makes Trump the first convicted felon to ever assume the presidency in the United States.
Listen: Judge Merchan releases recording of remarks in Trump’s 'hush money' sentencing
AlterNet
Mixed Reliable
The underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.
·Left
After careful consideration, he had determined that "the only lawful sentence, without encroaching upon the highest office of the land", was unconditional discharge - a sentence that would allow the American people a president unencumbered by pending court proceedings.
Trump avoids prison or fine in sentencing of unconditional discharge
BBC News
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·Center
Justice Juan Merchan sentenced President-elect Donald Trump to an unconditional discharge in the Manhattan business records case on Friday, which does not penalize him, though it upholds the jury’s felony conviction.
Juan Merchan Sentences Trump: No Penalty, Conviction Upheld
Breitbart News
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·Right
Today’s event was a despicable charade, and now that it is over, we will appeal this Hoax, which has no merit, and restore the trust of Americans in our once great System of Justice.
BREAKING: Trump says NY sentencing is ‘despicable charade,’ vows to appeal
The Post Millennial
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·Right
The expected sentence of unconditional discharge — also recommended by prosecutors — means the conviction remains on his legal record.
Trump avoids prison time, fines for New York felony conviction
Axios
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·Center
This has been a very terrible experience. I think it’s been a tremendous setback for the American court system.
‘Totally Innocent’: Trump Unleashes On Judge Merchan During Sentencing Hearing
Daily Caller
Mixed Reliable
The underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.
·Right
Regardless of the outcome, Trump, a Republican, will become the first person convicted of a felony to assume the presidency.
Days before he returns to the White House, Trump to be sentenced in New York hush money case
PBS NewsHour
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·Leans Left
"This has been a tremendous setback for New York and the New York court system," he said.
Trump sentencing live updates: Trump sentenced to unconditional discharge
ABC News
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·Center
Merchan has suggested that he’s unlikely to sentence Trump to prison. Instead, he’s expected to impose the most lenient sentencing given the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the president-elect’s imminent inauguration.
Trump to be sentenced in New York hush money case
NewsNation
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·Center
But Merchan's actions will formally make Trump the first criminal convict ever to occupy the Oval Office.
Trump to be sentenced in New York for hush money case conviction
CNBC
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The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Center
Trump is the first former US president to be criminally prosecuted and the first former president convicted of a crime.
Trump sentencing to proceed in New York after Supreme Court rejects appeal
Al Jazeera
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·Leans Left
The high court did not reach the merits of District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s prosecution, which secured 34 guilty verdicts against the president-elect.
Trump’s Sentencing Splinters the Roberts Court, Disclosing That Its Conservative Wing Is a House Divided on Immunity
New York Sun
Mixed Reliable
The underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.
·Right
Regardless of the outcome, Trump will become the first person convicted of a felony to assume the presidency.
Trump to Be Sentenced in Hush-Money Case
TIME Magazine
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·Leans Left
Today's event was a despicable charade, and now that it is over, we will appeal this Hoax, which has no merit, and restore the trust of Americans in our once great System of Justice.
Trump After Sentencing: I Will Appeal 'This Hoax'
Newsmax
Mixed Reliable
The underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.
·Right
Bragg’s prosecution of Trump for an underlying federal campaign violation in a state court is a first in all of U.S. history.
Trump’s Sentencing Marks the End of a Saga That Helped Him Get Reelected
New York Magazine
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·Leans Left
Merchan said that in weighing all the factors and concerns about presidential immunity, a sentence of “unconditional discharge appears to be the most viable solution”.
Donald Trump to be sentenced in New York hush-money case
The Guardian
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·Leans Left
In light of that, New York state Judge Juan Merchan has indicated he does not plan on sentencing Trump to prison or even probation, and is instead likely to offer an "unconditional discharge," meaning the president-elect must do nothing, but the conviction will remain on his record.
Trump set for sentencing in his New York felony conviction
NPR
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias. They demonstrate high-quality journalism and accuracy across multiple articles.
·Center
Trump faces sentencing in a case that underscores his legal vulnerabilities and raises questions about the implications for his political future.
Trump set to be sentenced in hush money case after Supreme Court turns down his last minute plea for delay
Fortune
Mostly Reliable
The underlying sources generally maintain reliability but have, at times, included opinion pieces, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies. While typically factual, there may be occasional editorialization or subjective interpretation.
·Center
Donald Trump’s winning streak at the Supreme Court has come to an end.
Supreme Court Denies Trump Another Win, Allows His Sentencing to Proceed
Rolling Stone
Mixed Reliable
The underlying sources have a mixed track record. They provide accurate information in some cases but are known to inject bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting. Read these stories cautiously and cross-check claims when possible.
·Left
The burden that sentencing will impose on the President-Elect’s responsibilities is relatively insubstantial in light of the trial court’s stated intent to impose a sentence of 'unconditional discharge' after a brief virtual hearing.
Supreme Court declines to stop sentencing in Trump hush money case
Salon
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·Left
Ultimately, the Biden/Harris DOJ forced Bragg to concoct anything to embarrass TRUMP. But it was even more so what the CORRUPT and TOTALLY CONFLICTED POLITICAL HACK Judge did, and is doing, on this sham trial.
Supreme Court Justices Barrett and Roberts side with liberals to deny sentencing delay in Trump hush-money case
The Blaze
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The underlying sources generally maintain reliability but have, at times, included opinion pieces, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies. While typically factual, there may be occasional editorialization or subjective interpretation.
·Right
Several justices’ impartiality towards Trump is in serious doubt. Ginni Thomas, the wife of Justice Clarence Thomas, encouraged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Supreme Court Allows Trump’s Felony Sentencing to Proceed
Mother Jones
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·Left
Trump’s attorneys called the case politically motivated, and they said sentencing him now would be a “grave injustice” that threatens to disrupt the presidential transition as the Republican prepares to return to the White House.
Supreme Court rejects Trump’s bid to delay sentencing in his New York hush money case
Boston Globe
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·Leans Left
The decision means Trump will be the first president to have a felony on his record when he takes the oath of office on Jan. 20.
Supreme Court turns down Trump plea to block New York sentencing for hush money conviction
Los Angeles Times
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·Leans Left
The high court ruled that the “burden” the sentencing would impose on Trump’s White House transition responsibilities would be minimal and that any complaints the president-elect has with “evidentiary violations” in the case could be dealt with by lower courts.
Supreme Court denies Trump’s bid to halt sentencing in NYC ‘hush money’ case
New York Post
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·Leans Right
The president-elect said that the opinion written by Merchan 'goes against our Constitution, and, if allowed to stand, would be the end of the Presidency as we know it.'
Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Request to Stop Sentencing in New York Case
Epoch Times
Mixed Reliable
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·Right
Trump is now almost certain to be sentenced Friday, an unprecedented outcome that will see him become the first felon to be president.
Supreme Court Denies Trump Bid To Halt Sentencing In Hush Money Case
HuffPost
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·Leans Left