Here's How People Are Reacting To Trump's Criminal Sentencing, Because...What

Natasha Jokic
·2-min read

Just in case you weren't already feeling bad enough, President-elect Donald Trump was just sentenced.

Trump in a suit gestures during a video call, with American flags in the background
Pool / Getty Images

This comes after he was previously convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal with Stormy Daniels, which could have resulted in four years in prison.

Trump in a suit and tie sits in a courtroom, looking serious, with several people visible in the background
Pool / Getty Images

Instead, this morning, Justice Juan Merchan gave Trump unconditional discharge. This means that he will not face any jail time, probation, or pay restitution. Justice Merchan subsequently wished Trump "Godspeed" on his second term.

The New York Times referred to it as

Before the verdict, Trump reportedly insisted to the court that he was "totally innocent" and added, "I was treated very, very unfairly, and I thank you very much." On Truth Social, he later continued, "Radical Democrats have lost another pathetic, unAmerican Witch Hunt." He has further said that he plans to appeal the "hoax."

A man in a suit and tie stands indoors, speaking or addressing an event, with a blurred figure in the background
Bloomberg / Bloomberg via Getty Images

When it came to reactions outside of the MAGA world (which included praying for Trump), some noted how the sentencing cemented Trump as a felon before he's inaugurated in 10 days:

Twitter: @RonFilipkowski

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Others were critical of the sentencing, pointing out the way felons are usually treated in the US:

Twitter: @eternalcumslime

Aaand there were plenty of comments saying that "unconditional discharge" resembled something that you might see a doctor for:

Social media post humorously comments on a headline about Donald Trump's sentencing for falsifying business records without jail time

Twitter: @TheDailyShow

Sigh. Here comes Inauguration Day!

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