Public controversy over New York hush-money criminal case
Coverage of the 34-count falsifying-business-records indictment tied to a reported Stormy Daniels payment, the May 2024 jury conviction, and the January 2025 unconditional discharge. Trump denied wrongdoing and called the case political.
Editorial timeline of public reporting, not a legal finding.
- Manhattan unseals 34-count hush-money indictment - The BBC reported that on April 4, 2023 Manhattan prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records tied to a reported hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign. He pleaded not guilty. Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony counts in hush money case
- Jury finds Trump guilty on all 34 counts - The BBC and Reuters reported that on May 30, 2024 a Manhattan jury convicted Trump on all 34 falsifying-business-records counts, making him the first U.S. president or former president convicted of a crime. Trump called the verdict a disgrace and said he would appeal. Donald Trump found guilty on all counts in historic criminal trial
- Unconditional discharge at hush-money sentencing - The Associated Press reported that on Jan. 10, 2025 Justice Juan Merchan sentenced Trump to an unconditional discharge in the hush-money case, meaning no jail, probation or fine, while the felony convictions remained. Judge sentences Donald Trump in hush money case