‘Great embarassment’: Hear Trump’s courtroom response to Judge Merchan’s ‘political witch hunt’ trial

The audio tape of President-elect Donald Trump’s New York City sentencing hearing was released to the public on Friday, shedding light on the unprecedented conviction against a former president. In a surprising turn of events, Trump was ultimately sentenced to an unconditional discharge, a move that left many shocked and bewildered.

During the virtual criminal trial sentencing hearing, Trump expressed his dismay over the entire ordeal. He described the experience as “terrible” and a “tremendous setback for New York and the New York court system.” He also criticized the handling of the case by Alvin Bragg, the prosecutor, and accused a member of a law firm associated with his political opponent of behaving inappropriately.

The president-elect went on to call the case a “political witch hunt” designed to damage his reputation and sway the outcome of the election. He pointed to his victory in the November election as a vindication of his innocence, implying that the people had seen through the allegations and stood by him.

Assistant District Attorney Josh Steinglass, however, disagreed with Trump’s assessment, arguing that there was overwhelming evidence to support the jury’s verdict. He accused Trump of causing damage to the public perception of the criminal justice system and endangering officers of the court with his comments.

Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, vehemently defended his client, stating that he disagreed with the prosecution’s characterization of the case and Trump’s conduct throughout the trial. He maintained that Trump had fought the case with integrity and would continue to do so.

During the hearing, Judge Juan Merchan defended his decision to impose an unconditional discharge, stating that it was a difficult but necessary move. He acknowledged the uniqueness of the case and the media attention it had garnered but emphasized that the trial itself was not extraordinary.

In his closing remarks, Merchan wished Trump “Godspeed” as he prepared to assume his second term in office. The unconditional discharge sentence means that Trump will not face any punishment, such as jail time, fines, or probation. It also allows him to appeal the conviction, a move that his legal team has indicated they will pursue.

As Trump gears up to be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 20, the fallout from the sentencing hearing continues to reverberate. The outcome of the appeal and the implications for Trump’s future remain uncertain, leaving many to wonder what lies ahead for the former president.