Chicago January 11, 2025
New York Judge Juan Merchan gave Americans an unusual level of access Friday by making public the audio from President-elect Donald Trump’s criminal sentencing.
In a roughly 30 minute hearing Friday, Merchan sentenced Trump to an “unconditional discharge” that means Trump will get no prison time or probation, but his conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election stands.
You can listen to the recording here:
There are no cameras allowed in New York criminal courtrooms.
Trump is now the first former or incoming U.S. president to be criminally sentenced. He said in a Truth Social post Friday that he plans to appeal the conviction, which he now has 30 days to do.
In addressing the court, Trump appeared to suggest the case was politically motivated. “It was very inappropriate,” he said.
