New York — President-elect Donald Trump is expected to receive the most lenient possible sentence in his Manhattan hush-money case on Friday, allowing him to appeal his criminal conviction ahead of his second inauguration.
Justice Juan Merchan will issue an “unconditional discharge,” meaning Trump will face no jail time, fines, or probation.
The 78-year-old will appear remotely via video from his Mar-a-Lago estate during the 9:30 a.m. hearing at Manhattan Supreme Court.
The proceeding will solidify Trump’s status as the first convicted felon to assume the presidency, a title he may yet challenge as his legal team prepares an appeal.
Trump, convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records, will have the option to address the court before sentencing.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s prosecutors will summarise their case, while Trump’s defence team is expected to reiterate claims that the trial was politically motivated and flawed.
Trump’s remote appearance was granted after the judge acknowledged the logistical burden of in-person attendance so close to his January 20 inauguration.
Although Trump’s conviction marks a first in U.S. presidential history, legal experts debate whether he is technically a “convicted felon” until sentencing is formally imposed. Friday’s hearing will end that ambiguity.
Trump’s lawyers have argued the trial was tainted by evidence linked to his White House tenure, which they say violates the U.S. Supreme Court’s presidential immunity doctrine. They may also challenge the court’s ruling that prosecutors could have cross-examined Trump about unrelated past allegations, including the jury’s 2023 finding in favour of columnist E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual abuse.
This defence tactic successfully overturned Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein’s sex crimes conviction, setting a precedent Trump’s team hopes to replicate.
The case centres on a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election to silence claims of an affair.
Prosecutors presented evidence, including checks signed by Trump and digital ledger entries, showing that the Trump Organization disguised the reimbursements to Attorney Michael Cohen as legal services.
While falsifying business records is typically a misdemeanour, it becomes a felony when connected to another crime—in this case, an alleged scheme to influence election results by concealing damaging information.
Trump’s conviction did not prevent his landslide Electoral College victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in November. As he prepares to lead the nation again, the shadow of his legal battles and a likely appeal will continue to shape a presidency unlike any other.
