US judge spares Trump jail, fine for hush money conviction

New York judge Juan Merchan handed down no jail time or fine, but the discharge upholds the jury's guilty verdict -- and confirmed Trump's infamy as the first former president convicted of a felony.

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Attorney Todd Blanche and US President-elect Donald Trump, seen on a television screen, appear virtually for sentencing after Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts in his hush money criminal trial last year, at the Manhattan criminal court on January 10, 2025 in New York. Seated on left is Trump attorney Emil Bove. (AFP)