The U.S. Supreme Court has denied President-elect Donald Trump’s final attempt to delay his sentencing in the criminal hush-money case, rejecting his plea with a narrow 5-4 ruling. Trump had asked the Court to decide whether he was entitled to an automatic stay of his sentencing, but the justices ruled against him, saying he could pursue his concerns through the appeals process.
In its explanation for the decision, the Court noted that the impact of the sentencing on Trump’s presidential responsibilities was minimal, especially since the trial court had indicated it would impose a sentence of “unconditional discharge” after a brief virtual hearing.
This ruling effectively ends Trump’s legal efforts to delay his sentencing, which is scheduled just 10 days before his second-term inauguration.
In May 2024, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying records to hide reimbursements for a $130,000 hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. Justice Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the case, has stated that he does not plan to impose a jail sentence for Trump.
Reacting to the Court’s decision, Trump called the case a “disgrace,” though he acknowledged the Supreme Court ruling was “fair.” He expressed frustration over the case, claiming the judge overseeing it shouldn’t have been involved and accusing the legal system of politically targeting him.
“The pathetic, dying remnants of the Witch Hunts against me will not distract us,” he wrote later on his Truth Social platform.
