Judge Juan Merchan of the New York State Supreme Court announced on the 3rd that a ruling on the 'hush money' case involving President-elect Trump will be made on January 10, 2025. This case involves Trump paying hush money to former adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 U.S. presidential election to prevent her from publicly disclosing her private relationship with Trump. This case has become a key point among the many legal challenges facing Trump.
Trump has strongly responded to the upcoming ruling, posting continuously on social media to express his dissatisfaction. He claims to be the only political figure in U.S. history who cannot defend himself, questioning the legality and fairness of the case. He also accused Judge Merchan of being 'corrupt and dishonest' and called for the revocation of Merchan's qualifications. Meanwhile, Trump continues to complain about the unfair treatment he has received, stating that no president has ever been 'illegally treated' like he has, and he accuses Democratic judges and prosecutors of treating him in an 'unprecedentedly' unfair manner.
The case facing Trump not only relates to his legal fate but may also affect whether he can be inaugurated smoothly. According to reports, Trump may appear in court in person or via remote video. However, the main focus of this trial is whether Trump will become the first sitting president in U.S. history to be convicted of a criminal case. Judge Merchan has indicated that, considering practical factors such as presidential immunity, Trump may not be imprisoned, but he will likely face other forms of legal consequences, including public condemnation of his actions.
Although Trump may appeal in an attempt to overturn the ruling, if the appeal ultimately fails, he will enter the White House with a criminal conviction, a historic moment that will have far-reaching implications for American politics and the legal system. The outcome of this case will not only determine whether Trump can be inaugurated smoothly on January 20, 2025, but it may also become an unprecedented political event in U.S. history.