President-elect Donald Trump is set to be sentenced on January 10 in connection with the criminal case involving hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Despite the conviction, a judge has indicated that Trump is unlikely to face jail time or other significant penalties.
Justice Juan Merchan made this ruling, confirming that Trump must appear at the hearing just 10 days before his inauguration, marking an unprecedented event in U.S. history. No U.S. president—past or present—has ever been charged or convicted of a crime before taking office. Trump, 78, will have the option to attend the sentencing either in person or virtually.
Merchan expressed his inclination not to impose a jail sentence on Trump, suggesting that an “unconditional discharge” could be the most appropriate solution. This means Trump may face no custody, monetary fines, or probation. This decision would also allow Trump to appeal the verdict, which he has already signaled his intention to do.
Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, condemned the case, claiming that it should never have been filed and that the Constitution mandates its dismissal. Cheung criticized the case as “lawless” and politically motivated.
Merchan made his announcement after rejecting Trump’s motion to dismiss the case, which was based on his victory in the 2024 presidential election. Trump’s legal team argued that the ongoing case would hinder his ability to govern, but Merchan countered that dismissing the case would undermine the rule of law.
The “Hush Money Case” refers to the legal case involving former U.S. President Donald Trump and a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016. Daniels claimed she had an affair with Trump in 2006, which he denies. To prevent her from speaking about the alleged affair publicly during the 2016 presidential election campaign, Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid Daniels the $130,000 in exchange for her silence.
The case centers around allegations that Trump and his team attempted to cover up the payment by falsifying business records, describing the payment as a legal expense, which led to charges of campaign finance violations and other legal issues. In 2023, Trump was convicted on charges related to falsifying business records, and he is now facing sentencing in connection with the case.
