A New York appellate court on Tuesday rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s request to delay his sentencing for criminal charges related to hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Associate Justice Ellen Gesmer denied the motion following arguments from Trump’s lawyers, who claimed sentencing would interfere with his transition to the presidency.
Justice Juan Merchan had previously scheduled sentencing for Friday, stating that a prison term was unlikely. Instead, Merchan suggested an unconditional discharge, which would record Trump’s guilt without additional penalties. Trump’s team argued presidential immunity should extend to the transition period, but Gesmer found no legal basis for the claim.
Manhattan prosecutor Steven Wu countered that delays were unnecessary, noting sentencing was adjusted to avoid conflicts with the inauguration and could proceed virtually. Wu also pointed out Trump’s repeated delays since July. Gesmer agreed, calling Trump’s arguments disingenuous.
In a brief ruling, Gesmer denied the stay, saying Trump could have avoided the timing issue by proceeding earlier.
The case stems from a $130,000 payment by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump, who denies the affair, was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records. He is the first U.S. president to face criminal charges and a conviction.
Trump has called the case a politically motivated effort to harm his 2024 campaign. His lawyers have failed in two attempts to overturn the jury’s verdict, with Merchan ruling the case involved Trump’s personal conduct, not presidential duties.
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