Stormy Daniels Case: Trump Sentenced But Won't Go to Jail
Donald Trump convicted in Stormy Daniels case: the first president elected with the status of "criminal", but without prison or sanctions. "We will appeal", he declared.
Stormy Daniels Case: Trump Convicted But Won't Go to Prison.
The court case involving Donald Trump and porn star Stormy Daniels has ended with a historic ruling that, while it does sentence the president-elect, does not include prison time or any other tangible legal consequences. The former president of the United States was found guilty of falsifying accounting documents to hide a payment made to Daniels, but Judge Juan Merchan opted for an “unconditional discharge,” sparing him from any concrete sanctions.
An unprecedented sentence
Judge Merchan's decision represents a unique moment in American history. Donald Trump becomes the first elected president to be convicted of a criminal offense, although he will not have to serve any sentence. This particular legal formula recognizes the status of "criminal" without imposing prison terms, fines or probation. The reason for the ruling lies in Trump's recent re-election, which entails specific legal protections such as the Supremacy Clause and presidential immunity.
Speaking in court, the judge said:
“It was the citizens of this nation who decided that you should enjoy protections like the supremacy clause and presidential immunity. I wish you good luck in your second term.”
Trump: “We will appeal”
Donald Trump responded by calling the trial a “political witch hunt” and reiterating his innocence.
“Today’s event was a despicable farce. We will appeal this hoax that I do not deserve,” the tycoon said in a statement.
Before the sentencing, Trump had already harshly criticized the New York justice system, describing the case as an attempt to damage his political reputation ahead of the election.
Legal challenges and the Court's position
In recent days, Trump's lawyers have attempted to block the sentence, appealing to both the New York Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court, but to no avail. Judge Merchan had initially postponed the sentencing after Trump's election victory, finally setting the sentence ten days before his inauguration.
Despite pressure from the defense and opposition from Manhattan U.S. Attorney Alvin Bragg, the court upheld Trump's criminal liability but did not impose punitive measures.
The Stormy Daniels Case
The whole affair revolves around a $130.000 payment Trump made to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016 in exchange for her silence about an alleged extramarital affair. This payment was irregularly recorded in the Trump Organization's corporate accounts, leading to a conviction for falsifying documents.
Despite the theoretical risk of a prison sentence of up to four years, Judge Merchan had already announced that he would not impose restrictive sentences on the president-elect, considering the issue mainly symbolic.
A dangerous precedent or a democratic safeguard?
The ruling raises questions about how to balance criminal justice with institutional demands. Some critics see the decision as a demonstration of impunity for those in high-powered positions, while others argue that the protection afforded to the president-elect reflects the will of the people and the particular responsibilities of his office.
As Trump prepares to return to the White House as the first president in history with the status of “criminal,” the Stormy Daniels case will remain an indelible page in the American political and judicial landscape. While the conviction has no direct consequences, it raises new questions about ethics and transparency at the highest levels of power. The legal battle, however, seems far from over, with Trump and his lawyers announcing an appeal.
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