Popular radio presenter Charlamagne tha God derided President-elect Donald Trump’s sentencing at his trial in New York as “pure political theater” and a “waste of time.”
On Friday, New York Judge Juan Merchan sentenced Trump to unconditional release after he was found guilty on charges of falsifying business records stemming from a years-long investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
The verdict officially makes Trump the first US president to be convicted of a crime. However, the unconditional release means he will not face a fine or jail time. The sentence also preserves Trump’s ability to appeal the ruling.
The hosts of “The Breakfast Club” reacted to the news on Monday’s show, with co-host Charlamagne dismissing Trump’s punishment as meaningless.
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Radio host Charlamagne tha God recently called the sentencing at Trump’s money laundering trial in New York “pure political theater.” ((Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images))
“What a waste of time,” Charlamagne said on Monday’s show. “I mean, what a waste of time. Pure political theater. They never, ever intended to convict the former or current president of anything.”
“And what was even funnier was watching, you know, liberals celebrate this,” he continued. “Like, this isn’t a win. Who cares if you can call him a convicted felon when you still have to call him president for the next four years? who cares?”
“They won’t do anything to him. It’s a waste of time… it’s stupid,” he added.
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President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
“Breakfast Club” co-host DJ Envy questioned whether the trial was worth the cost to New York taxpayers.
“In the case of New York, they said it costs $50,000 a day,” Envy noted later in the segment, talking about the security measures that had to be put in place to protect the former president. “It probably cost about $2 million [in total].”
“What’s the point?” Charlamagne asked about prosecutors who brought criminal charges against Trump in New York and Georgia.
“Somebody needs to ask them, the Fanny Willis of the world, like, ‘What’s the point? What are you trying to prove now?'” he asked.
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Jack Smith, Alvin Bragg and Fanny Willis (Getty Images)
Before Judge Merchan announced the sentence at Friday’s hearing, Trump called the case a “political witch hunt,” which “was a huge blow to New York and the New York court system.”
Last May, Trump was found guilty on 34 criminal acts of falsification of business books. He pleaded not guilty to all counts of the indictment, and called the trial “rigged” and “disgraceful.”
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The Supreme Court denied Trump’s emergency request to block the Jan. 10 sentencing.
Earlier this year, the high court ruled that presidents have immunity from prosecution in connection with official presidential acts.
Fox News’ Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
