President-elect Trump was found guilty in May of falsifying business records.

President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced Friday morning in his New York hush money case after a jury in May convicted him on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

Judge Juan Merchan sentenced Trump to an “unconditional discharge” — allowing Trump to avoid prison, fines or probation — out of respect for the principle of presidential immunity, which takes effect on Jan. 20 once Trump becomes president.

Trump, who has maintained his innocence throughout the case, has blasted the prosecution as politically motivated.

Before sentencing Trump, Judge Merchan emphasizes that the “protections afforded to the office of the president” apply only to that office, “not the occupant of the office.”

“It is through that lens and that reality that this court must determine a lawful sentence,” Merchan says.

“Sir, I wish you god speed as you assume your second term in office,” Merchan tells Trump in conclusion.

“This court has determined that the only lawful sentence … is an unconditional discharge,” Merchan says.

The hearing over, Trump logs off his remote connection.

Trump concludes his statement by saying, “I have been treated very, very unfairly, and thank you very much.”

President-elect Donald Trump and attorney Todd Blanche appears remotely for a sentencing hearing in front of New York State Judge Juan Merchan at New York Criminal Court in Manhattan in New York City, Jan. 10, 2025.

Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images

His tone for all his remarks was very calm and balanced — he said it plainly as if he was reading a speech. He never appeared to raise his voice.

Judge Merchan is now explaining his reasoning for his unconditional discharge sentence.

Trump is looking directly into the camera as Merchan explains his sentence.

“Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances,” Merchan says. “This has been a truly extraordinary case.”

Merchan is now remarking on the unremarkable nature of the trial, no different than any other trial that has taken place in this storied courthouse.

But the circumstances of this sentence are “extraordinary,” Merchan remarks regarding presidential immunity.

“This has been a very terrible experience,” Trump says, addressing the court on the large monitor.

“I think it’s been a tremendous setback for New York and the New York court system,” he said.

Trump is now going after a former assistant district attorney who resigned from the office before his indictment was brought.

He blames accountants for logging the hush payment to Stormy Daniels a legal expense.

“It’s incredible actually,” Trump says about his actions that prompted his indictment, arguing he correctly labeled Cohen’s payments as legal expenses.

Trump says this was a case Alvin Bragg did not want to bring, as the DA stared straight ahead expressionless, watching the feed.

“It’s an injustice of justice,” Trump says about the the case, citing a series of legal experts who criticized the case.

“It’s been a political witch hunt, it was damage my reputation so I would lose the election,” Trump says, boasting how he got more votes than any Republican and won all seven swing states.

Judge Merchan is calmly watching Trump speak with his hand on his chin.

“I very, very much disagree with what the government just said,” Trump attorney Todd Blanche says.

Blanche says Trump has been “fighting” this case to this day, and that they disagree that this was “an appropriate case to be brought.”

“It was not,” Blanche says.

“We intend on appealing,” Blanche confirms.

“Legally this case should not have been brought,” Blanche says, with Trump nodding his head in agreement. “The majority of the American people agree that this case should not have been brought.”

“Its a sad day for President Trump and his family and his friends. But its also, in Counsel’s view, a sad day for this country,” he says. “This was brought by a district attorney who promised he would go after President Trump if elected and that’s sad.”