President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled on Friday to be sentenced for falsifying business records to conceal payment to an adult film star. The sentencing in a New York state courtroom comes 10 days before he will begin his second White House term.
Newsweek contacted Trump's attorney and the Trump transition team via email outside of normal business hours on Friday for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump will be the first former or incoming president in U.S. history to be sentenced for a criminal conviction. The sentencing concludes a case, often referred to as the hush money case, that dogged Trump during his successful 2024 Election campaign.
What to Know
A Manhattan jury last May found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the case. It involved a payment of $130,000 shortly before the 2016 election to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who said that she and Trump had a sexual encounter in 2006. Trump has denied the encounter as well as any wrongdoing.
Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the six-week trial last year, has signaled he does not plan to send Trump to jail or to fine him.
In a ruling last month, Merchan suggested a "sentence of an unconditional discharge appears to be the most viable solution to ensure finality." Such a sentence would mean Trump would not face any requirements, conditions or parole.
Trump's lawyers have tried, so far unsuccessfully, to block the sentencing.
On Thursday, New York's top court, the New York Court of Appeals, declined to halt the sentencing, leaving the U.S. Supreme Court as Trump's last remaining route to halt today's hearing.
How To Watch the Sentencing
The event is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET. on Friday, but the proceedings in court will not be shown on TV. Instead, news networks will be broadcasting from outside the courtroom as the sentencing is made.
New York is one of only two states that does not allow trial proceedings to be broadcast without the judge's approval. Judge Merchan has not granted permission for television cameras to broadcast from inside the courtroom.
Trump is expected to appear at the hearing remotely after Judge Merchan said he could attend the proceeding online because of his transition duties.
What People Are Saying
Heather Davis, the New York Court of Appeals clerk, told Trump attorney Todd Blanche in a letter on Thursday: "Your proposed order to show cause was reviewed by Judge Rivera, who declined to sign the order. As a result of the Judge's determination, no motion is pending in the above title at the Court of Appeals."
Donald Trump's lawyers said Tuesday in their filing with the Supreme Court: "This Court should enter an immediate stay of further proceedings in the New York trial court to prevent grave injustice and harm to the institution of the Presidency and the operations of the federal government."
What's Next
Trump's sentence hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET.
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