Trump faces sentencing in Stormy Daniels case on January 10

Jan 4, 2025 - Donald Trump, the US president-elect, is set to be sentenced on January 10 following his conviction in a case involving a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. However, he is not expected to face prison time.

Judge Juan Merchan, overseeing the case in New York, has stated that Trump must attend the hearing either in person or virtually. Last May, Trump was found guilty on 34 counts related to falsifying business records. The charges stem from his alleged efforts to prevent Daniels from revealing details of their affair during the 2016 election campaign.

The sentencing will come just 10 days before Trump’s inauguration for his second term. Despite the legal challenges, his spokesperson, Steven Cheung, stressed that Trump must continue with the presidential transition process, free from the distractions of what he called a "witch hunt."

Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing, calling the case an “illegal political attack” and a “farce.” He also criticized the judge’s decision, claiming it violated the US Constitution and could have serious consequences for the presidency.