Donald Trump on Monday lost his bid to overturn his criminal conviction related to hush money payments to adult film actor Stormy Daniels, despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity for official acts.
Justice Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s motion to dismiss the New York case, siding with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Merchan ruled the case involved Trump’s personal actions, not official presidential duties, stating that falsifying business records for “decidedly personal acts” does not infringe on executive authority.
Trump’s lawyers argued the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity should apply because evidence included social media posts and White House conversations. Prosecutors countered that the case concerned “wholly unofficial conduct,” and the Supreme Court denied immunity for such acts.
The case stems from a $130,000 payment made by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to Daniels before the 2016 election to silence claims of an alleged sexual encounter. Trump, who denies the allegation, was found guilty in May on 34 counts of falsifying records to conceal the payment.
This conviction marked the first time a U.S. president—former or sitting—has been charged or convicted of a criminal offense. Trump called the case politically motivated and aimed at damaging his 2024 campaign.
Trump’s sentencing, originally set for Nov. 26, has been delayed indefinitely after his Nov. 5 election win. His lawyers have filed another motion arguing the charges could impair his ability to govern. Bragg’s office urged the court to reject the “extreme remedy” of overturning the verdict.
Justice Merchan has yet to rule on Trump’s additional motion.
Also read: Bitcoin Hits Record $106K Amid Trump’s Crypto Reserve Plan
