Donald Trump, Photo: REX / Shutterstock
Donald Trump, the US president-elect, will be sentenced on 10 January 2025 in the case of concealing payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. Manhattan court judge Juan Merchant said he was not inclined to imprison the 78-year-old politician, but legally, the possibility remains, AFP reports.
After a six-week trial that took place in the midst of the election campaign, Trump became the first former US president to be found guilty in a criminal case. He was charged with 34 counts, including falsifying financial documents to conceal payments of $130,000 to Daniels to keep her silent about a relationship she claims took place in 2006. Trump himself denies any connection.
Trump’s lawyers have repeatedly appealed, citing his presidential immunity, but to no avail. In the summer of 2024, the US Supreme Court confirmed its extension, but Judge Merchant continued to hear the case.
Political crisis and accusations of a ‘witch hunt’
Trump’s team calls the trial “political persecution”. Stephen Cheung, a representative of the future president, criticised the court’s actions, accusing the Democrats led by Joe Biden of a “masquerade”.
Trump himself said on his Truth Social platform that Judge Merchan is an “extremist” who does not respect the Constitution. Nevertheless, the case will be brought to an end.
Context and perspectives
Although the federal authorities have closed other cases against Trump, including those involving attempts to influence the 2020 election results and the possession of classified documents, he still faces potential multimillion-dollar fines in civil proceedings.
The Trump trial was unprecedented in American politics. Voters are closely monitoring events that could affect the inauguration of the next president, scheduled for 20 January 2025.
