#Socialites, get all the way into this: In a significant development, a New York judge has postponed the sentencing of former President Donald Trump regarding hush money payments made to a porn star, pushing the date to November 26, after the upcoming November 5 election. This delay effectively means that Trump will not face any criminal consequences until after the presidential election.
Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the case, explained his decision in a letter, emphasizing the need for the public to maintain confidence in the judicial system. He stated, “The public’s confidence in the integrity of our judicial system demands a sentencing hearing that is entirely focused on the verdict of the jury and the weighing of aggravating and mitigating factors free from distraction or distortion.”
Merchan further elaborated on the complexities surrounding the timing of the sentencing, noting the unique circumstances of the case and the potential implications it could have on the electoral process. He expressed concern that proceeding with the sentencing could create an appearance, regardless of its validity, that the judicial process was influenced by the presidential election in which Trump is a candidate. Originally set for September 18, the sentencing has now been rescheduled to November 26.
RELATED:Donald Trump’s Sentencing For His Conviction On Criminal Charges In Hush Money Trial Postponed
As we previously reported, in a historic moment, Trump was convicted on May 30 for falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment made by his former lawyer to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. This payment was intended to secure her silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump that reportedly took place a decade earlier, just before the 2016 election.
This ruling marks another small victory for Trump, who has successfully navigated legal challenges in several other criminal cases, managing to push back three of the four cases until after the election. The hush money case remains particularly notable, as it is the only one that has resulted in a guilty verdict to date.