US President-elect Donald Trump sentenced to 'unconditional discharge' in hush money case: 'A political witch hunt'

President-elect Donald Trump won't be facing any jail time or penalties in the hush money case, as he was sentenced to an 'unconditional discharge' by Judge Juan Merchan on Friday, CNN reported.

The sentencing, which was expected, means Trump will remain a felon but face no jail time, penalties or probation for his conviction in the hush money case. According to CNN, Trump showed no visible reaction as the judge concluded the hearing.

During his sentencing hearing, he reiterated that he was innocent at his sentencing hearing this morning. "The fact is I'm totally innocent. I did nothing wrong," he said.

"It's been a political witch hunt, it was done to damage my reputation," Trump added.

Earlier, Trump also put a request to the Supreme Court, to pause his sentencing in the hush money case, scheduled for January 10, CNN reported.

Trump's attorneys argue that delaying the sentencing is necessary "to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the presidency and the operations of the federal government."

Notably, Trump was convicted in May 2023, of falsifying records to conceal payments to his then-lawyer Michael Cohen, who reimbursed USD 130,000 hush money payment made to an adult film star Stormy Daniels for her silence about an alleged affair with Trump before the 2016 election. Trump has denied the affair.

Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from ANI.