Trump sentenced to ‘unconditional discharge’ for hush money conviction

AFP | New York

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A judge sentenced Donald Trump to an unconditional discharge yesterday for covering up hush money payments to a porn star despite the US president-elect’s last-ditch efforts to avoid becoming the first felon in the White House.

The judge spared Trump prison or a fine even though the 34 counts of falsifying business records on which he was convicted in May 2024 carried potential jail time.

Instead New York judge Juan Merchan handed down the mildest criminal sanction available, an unconditional discharge -- a relatively uncommon measure.

“Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances,” said Merchan.

“The only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgment of conviction without encroaching on the highest office of the land is an unconditional discharge.” Trump attended his sentencing virtually.