Well, well, well, looks like the Donald’s got himself a get-out-of-jail-free card… at least for now. In a plot twist that surprises absolutely no one, Trump’s sentencing for his hush-money shenanigans has been postponed until after the US presidential election. Talk about convenient timing!
But if he wins the election, can he still be sentenced? Here are all the details.
What is Donald Trump facing sentencing for?
For those who’ve been living under a rock (or just trying to avoid the Trump news cycle), here’s the tea.
Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
This hush-money payment was made back in 2016, just days before the presidential election, to keep Daniels quiet about an alleged affair. You know, just your average Tuesday for a former president.
This isn’t just about a one-time payment. Trump allegedly orchestrated a whole “catch and kill” scheme with his buddy David Pecker, the then-CEO of American Media (the company behind the National Enquirer).
Pecker was supposed to be Trump’s “eyes and ears,” scooping up potentially damaging stories and burying them deeper than Trump’s natural hair colour.
Then there’s Michael Cohen, Trump’s former “fixer” and personal attorney, who played the role of bagman in this political drama. Cohen initially claimed he made the payment out of his own pocket, but later admitted Trump directed him to do it.
Now, Trump’s facing 34 counts of falsifying business records. Each of these charges could land him up to four years behind bars.
Why did the judge delay Donald Trump’s sentencing?
Originally scheduled for September 18, Judge Juan Merchan has now pushed the sentencing to November 26. That’s three whole weeks after Americans hit the polls. Which means voters will head to the polls without knowing whether the Republican nominee is facing jail time or even if he will be sentenced at all.
Judge Merchan claims he wants “to avoid any appearance — however unwarranted — that the proceeding has been affected by or seeks to affect the approaching presidential election in which the Defendant is a candidate”.
Trump’s legal team argued that sentencing him during the campaign would be unfair and could hinder his chances of reclaiming the White House. They petitioned the judge and even asked a federal court to intervene, claiming that punishing the former president while he’s in the thick of his campaign would amount to election interference.
In their view, delaying the sentencing is a matter of fairness, allowing Trump to focus on his presidential run without the looming threat of legal consequences.
Unsurprisingly, Trump has been quite vocal about the case saying, “This case should be rightfully terminated, as we prepare for the most important election in the history of our country,” on the Truth Social app.
What happens to the case if Donald Trump wins the US election?
Now here’s where it gets spicy. If Trump wins the election and then gets sentenced, we’re in for a constitutional rollercoaster that would make even America’s founding fathers say ‘WTF’?
While a president can’t be prosecuted for official acts, this case is about Trump’s personal conduct. So theoretically, he could be sentenced even if he’s back in the Oval Office.
This is the first time a former president has ever been convicted of a crime. But in 1872, sitting President Ulysess S. Grant was once arrested for speeding in his horse-drawn carriage, but released with a fine.
In the end, whether Trump ends up behind bars or back in the White House is anyone’s guess. One thing is for sure, this saga isn’t just about the courtroom — it’s a full-blown spectacle that will shape the future of American politics.
So, buckle up! The show is just getting started!
Lead image: Getty Images
The post Donald Trump’s ‘Hush-Money’ Sentencing Has Conveniently Been Pushed Till After The US Election appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
