Judge wishes Donald Trump 'Godspeed' as he receives unconditional discharge in hush money case

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: President-elect Donald Trump was sentenced in his hush money case on Friday, January 10, by New York Judge Juan Merchan.

Trump, convicted on 34 felony charges, avoided jail time and received an "unconditional discharge" during the hearing conducted virtually from Florida.

Judge Juan Merchan says 'the citizenry of this nation' spoke

The sentencing, held at the Manhattan criminal courthouse, marks a historic moment as Donald Trump became the first president or president-elect to carry the label of felon.

During the hearing, Justice Juan Merchan addressed Trump, highlighting the unique circumstances of the case.

“The office of the president bestows far-reaching protections to the officeholder,” Merchan said, before acknowledging that the “citizenry of this nation” had chosen Trump to return to the White House and enjoy those protections.

The judge clarified his decision, saying, “A sentence of unconditional discharge was the only appropriate sentence available without encroaching on the highest office of the land.”

 Merchan told Trump, “Sir, I wish you Godspeed as you pursue your second term in office.”

He called the case unprecedented, adding “Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances. This has been a truly extraordinary case,"  Washington Post and CNN noted. 

Donald Trump insists on innocence, calls the trial a 'political witch hunt'

At the hearing, Donald Trump declared his innocence, asserting, “The fact is I’m totally innocent. I did nothing wrong.”

He also called the indictment a “political witch hunt” and alleged the charges were an attempt to harm his reputation ahead of the election.

Trump further claimed election victory, stating, “It was done to damage my reputation so I would lose the election, and obviously that didn’t work.”

He told the court he won the popular vote by “millions and millions of votes.”

Referring to his former lawyer Michael Cohen, Trump said, “He was allowed to talk like he was George Washington, but he’s not George Washington.”

Donald Trump denounces his sentencing as a 'despicable charade' 

Todd Blanche, an attorney for Donald Trump, announced plans to appeal the verdict. Trump later criticized the sentencing on Truth Social, calling it a “despicable charade.”

“The Radical Democrats have lost another pathetic, unAmerican Witch Hunt,” Trump posted.

He added, “There was never a case… no crime, no damages, no proof, no facts, no Law, only a highly conflicted Judge, a star witness who is a disbarred, disgraced, serial perjurer, and criminal Election Interference.”

Trump emphasized his mandate from voters, writing, “The real jury, the American people, have spoken, by re-electing me with an overwhelming mandate in one of the most consequential elections in history.”

He promised to appeal the verdict, saying, “Today’s event was a despicable charade, and now that it is over, we will appeal this Hoax, which has no merit, and restore the trust of Americans in our once great System of Justice.”

Internet reacts to Donald Trump's sentencing

Several internet users expressed their opinion on Donald Trump's sentencing in the hush money case. “80 million people who voted on November 5th said they don't care. MAKE AMERICAN GREAT AGAIN!” one X user posted.

Another wrote, “He shouldn’t have been sentenced at all.”

“Godspeed indeed,” a commenter said, referencing the judge’s closing remark.

Meanwhile, another user said, “Great, now we are the laughing stock of the world.”

Others voiced frustration, with one stating, “It’s a hollow victory for justice when there are absolutely no consequences for the biggest conman in history.”

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