A judge has sentenced US President-elect Donald Trump to “unconditional acquittal”, ending the former US president’s first criminal trial.
The hush money conviction means the future president is spared any punishment, including prison or fines, but will still take office as the first US president with a felony conviction.
“Never before has this court been faced with such a unique and incredible set of circumstances,” Judge Juan Merchan said shortly before announcing the sentence, calling it “a truly extraordinary case.”
Appearing via video call from Florida, flanked by his lawyer and two prominent American flags, Trump declared his “complete innocence.”
It was the first time in this year-and-a-half long legal saga that Trump said something more than “not guilty” or gave a brief affirmative answer.
Given a chance to speak before the sentencing, Trump spent several minutes denouncing the case.
“This was a very horrible experience,” he said.
He argued that the justice system had been “weaponized” and argued that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had brought the case for political reasons.
“I would like to explain that I have been treated very, very unfairly, and I thank you very much,” he said before falling silent.
As Bragg watched Trump directly address him for the first time, he maintained a mostly stoic expression. However, he laughed when Trump claimed that Bragg never wanted to pursue the case.
After Trump had his say, Judge Merchan took a few moments to reflect on the “paradox” of the trial.
Judge Merchan noted that despite the media and political circus outside, “when the courtroom doors closed, it was no more unique than all the other cases going on at the same time.”
But he added that after Trump was convicted, the case took a new turn when the American people elected him for a second presidential term in November.
After careful consideration, he determined that “the only lawful punishment, without infringing on the highest office of the land,” is unconditional dismissal—a punishment that would allow the American people a president unencumbered by ongoing legal proceedings.
A New York jury found Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in May 2024. His sentencing has been repeatedly delayed due to Supreme Court decisions and the November presidential election.
The charges stemmed from a conspiracy to cover up the payment of secret money to an adult film star in the final days of the 2016 election. Prosecutors argued the payment constituted a form of election interference aimed at withholding vital information from voters, and therefore violated the law.
In October 2016, Trump’s lawyer at the time, Michael Cohen, paid a woman named Stormy Daniels $130,000 (£106,000) to keep quiet about alleged years-old sexual contact with the future president.
After he was elected, Trump paid Cohen back in installments – and then falsely booked them as legal fees. Each of Trump’s convictions is related to a false document related to a cover-up.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has denied having sex with Ms Daniels. He repeatedly claimed that it was a politically motivated persecution.
The six-week trial became a legal, political and media storm. Bigger figures like Cohen and Daniels have faced scrutiny from Trump’s lawyers.
Trump brought an array of family members and Republican allies with him to court each day to fill the benches at his defense table. Every day, he turned the small media pen in the hallway outside the courtroom into his personal pulpit, using the opportunity to rail against the justice system, the press and other opponents.
Trump also used the heat of the trial to raise millions from supporters for his legal battles and his campaign to retake the White House.
In the four years between his terms, Trump has been indicted in four separate criminal cases, including his case in New York. In the end, only this one went to trial.
On the campaign trail and on social media, Trump used his legal woes to portray himself — and his supporters — as victims of a rigged justice system.
Despite multiple impeachments, including two that focused on his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, Trump soundly defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in November.
His victory overturned two federal prosecutions against him, including his case of meddling in a federal election and one involving the alleged misuse of classified documents. The third, an election meddling case in Fulton County, Georgia, has been mired in a series of delays and side drama for months.
Only Trump’s secret money trial ever ended, after Justice Merchan requested in early January that Trump appear virtually or in person for the sentencing.
However, the fighting did not stop there. Trump’s lawyers have been frantically filing appeals and even asked the US Supreme Court to stop Friday’s hearing.
The Supreme Court rejected it in a brief decision issued Thursday night.
They also fought to have the case dismissed by arguing that presidents-elect are immune from prosecution, an argument Judge Merchan rejected, but continued to argue in higher courts.
When Trump’s trial in New York ended with the final blow of the gavel on Friday, it also closed a particularly difficult chapter in his personal and political history.
When he takes the oath of office in 10 days, he will be the first US president ever to be convicted of a felony.
As he concluded his sentencing on Friday, Justice Merchan had one final message for Trump.
“I wish you blessings as you take on your second term,” he said.
