Donald Trump says he's 'totally innocent' and thanks judge moments before no-penalty sentence in hush money case

Donald Trump has been handed a no-penalty sentence following his conviction in the Stormy Daniels hush money case.

The incoming US president has received an unconditional discharge - meaning he will not face jail time, probation or a fine.

Manhattan Judge Juan M Merchan could have jailed him for up to four years.

The sentencing in Manhattan comes just 10 days before the 78-year-old is due to be inaugurated as US president for a second time on 20 January.

Trump appeared at the hearing by videolink and addressed the court before he was sentenced, telling the judge the case had been a "very terrible experience" for him.

He claimed it was handled inappropriately and by someone connected with his political opponents - referring to Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg.

As it happened:
Trump sentenced in Manhattan court

Trump said: "It was done to damage my reputation so I would lose the election.

"This has been a political witch hunt.

"I am totally innocent. I did nothing wrong."

Concluding his statement, he said: "I was treated very unfairly and I thank you very much."

The judge then told the court it was up to him to "decide what is a just conclusion with a verdict of guilty".

He said: "Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances.

"This has been a truly extraordinary case."

He added that the "trial was a bit of a paradox" because "once the doors closed it was not unique".

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass had earlier argued in court that Trump "engaged in a campaign to undermine the rule of law" during the trial.

"He's been unrelenting in his attacks against this court, prosecutors and their family," Mr Steinglass said.

"His dangerous rhetoric and unconstitutional conduct has been a direct attack on the rule of law and he has publicly threatened to retaliate against the prosecutors."

Mr Steinglass said this behaviour was "designed to have a chilling effect and to intimidate".

It comes after the US Supreme Court rejected a last-ditch attempt by Trump to delay sentencing in the case on Thursday.

Trump's lawyers argued that evidence used during the trial violated last summer's Supreme Court ruling giving Trump broad immunity from prosecution over acts he took as president.

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Trump's hush money conviction in May 2024 means he will become the first person convicted of a felony to assume the US presidency.

He was found guilty in New York of 34 counts of falsifying business records relating to payments made to Ms Daniels, an adult film actor, before he won the 2016 US election.

Prosecutors claimed he had paid her $130,000 (£105,300) in hush money to not reveal details of what Ms Daniels said was a sexual relationship in 2006.

Trump has denied any liaison with Ms Daniels or any wrongdoing.

The trial made headlines around the world but the details of the case or Trump's conviction didn't deter American voters from picking him as president for a second time.

What is an unconditional discharge?

Under New York state law, an unconditional discharge is a sentence imposed "without imprisonment, fine or probation supervision".

The sentence is handed down when a judge is "of the opinion that no proper purpose would be served by imposing any condition upon the defendant's release", according to the law.

It means Trump's hush money case has been resolved without any punishment that could interfere with his return to the White House.

Unconditional discharges have been handed down in previous cases where, like Trump, people have been convicted of falsifying business records.

They have also been applied in relation to low-level offences such as speeding, trespassing and marijuana-related convictions.

(c) Sky News 2025: Donald Trump says he's 'totally innocent' and thanks judge moments before no-penalty sentence in hush