Summary

  • US President-elect Donald Trump has been sentenced to "unconditional discharge", meaning he is spared jail time and a fine

  • He appeared stony-faced sitting alongside his lawyer via video link in a New York courtroom, our reporter in court writes

  • The prosecution requested no prison, probation or fine as a sentence - exactly what the judge ruled

  • Trump said this has been a "terrible experience" and he is "totally innocent" while his attorney said the charges never should have been brought

  • Judge Merchan called it an "extraordinary case" and a paradox with a lot of attention but ordinary court proceedings

  • Last May, Trump was convicted on 34 counts relating to hush money paid to adult-film star Stormy Daniels and how the payments were later reimbursed

  • Read Anthony Zurcher's analysis now that the historic trial has come to an end

Listen to Trump defend himself in court at sentencing

Live Reporting

Edited by Brandon Livesay in New York with Kayla Epstein and Madeline Halpert reporting from court

  1. Donald Trump to be sentenced in hush-money case

    Brandon Livesay
    Reporting from New York

    Hello and welcome from a frosty New York City morning, where Donald Trump is set to be sentenced for falsifying business records.

    It's been a fierce legal battle to even get to today, with the president-elect's lawyers fighting to get the case thrown out.

    But Justice Juan Merchan will hand down his sentence as scheduled, ending the months of appeals and motions.

    Trump was convicted last May on 34 counts of falsifying business records. They relate to a payment made to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign.

    Daniels claims she had sex with Trump. He has denied they did.

    We're not expecting Trump to show up in person today. And the sentencing will not involve jail time or a fine.

    So what's today all about then? Stick with us, my colleagues Kayla Epstein and Madeline Halpert will be in court, as they were every day of the trial. And they'll unpack all you need to know right here in our live coverage.