BREAKING: Donald Trump receives unconditional discharge in high profile case

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been handed an “unconditional discharge” in the high-profile case involving hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

The ruling, delivered by Judge Juan Merchan on Friday, brings an end to nearly a year of legal proceedings that captured national and international attention. An unconditional discharge signifies that Trump will not face any fines, probation, or jail time.

Describing the case as “truly extraordinary,” Judge Merchan’s decision marked a low-key conclusion to what had been one of the most controversial legal battles involving the former president.

The case centered on payments made during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, with prosecutors alleging they were intended to silence Daniels about an alleged affair.

Trump had consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the proceedings.

“Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances,” he added.

Trump was first indicted in March 2023 by the Manhattan district attorney on state charges related to a $130,000 payout to Daniels in 2016.

On May 30, 2024, Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records.

The verdict made Trump the first former president in US history to be convicted of a felony.

Trump will also be the first US president to be convicted when he assumes office on January 20.

Paying hush money is not illegal in New York, the charges stemmed from how Trump reimbursed his lawyer — who paid Daniels.

Trump was charged with falsifying business records to conceal the payment to Daniels in exchange for her silence about a sexual encounter she claimed happened with the former president in 2006.

Prosecutors also accused Trump of taking part in an illegal conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the 2016 election and an unlawful plan to suppress “negative information” revolving around the adult film star.

Friday’s sentencing was recommended as prosecutors noted that the office of the presidency must be respected amid Trump’s pending inauguration.

US presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for those official acts which fall within their “exclusive sphere of constitutional authority”.

Merchan said an unconditional discharge is “the only lawful sentence, without encroaching upon the highest office of the land”.

“I wish you godspeed as you assume your second term in office,” the judge told Trump who joined the hearing virtually.