Today was the day marked on the whole country’s calendar: the sentencing of President-elect Donald J. Trump. After he was found guilty back in May 2024 on 34 felonies counts, a judge has now handed out the long-awaited sentence of the 47th president.
In a historic first, Trump became the first former, future, or sitting U.S. president to be sentenced as a felon, but shockingly— or not so much so— he got off easy.
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According to NPR, on Friday (Jan. 10), Judge Juan Merchan ruled the only lawful sentence that wouldn’t impede on the president’s return to office is that of an unconditional discharge. This means Trump will face no punishment for his crimes. And as you can expect, the internet had loads to say on the matter...
X user @chelseaavila_17 wrote in disbelief “What the f*** is the point of the law then?”
But while some folks expected Trump to face some sort of punishment, most people seemed to be unfazed by the court’s ruling. X user @DntBurnYaBridge responded with a GIF of comedian Katt Williams while tweeting “Of course he won’t.”
Another user said sarcastically “oh wow i’m shocked who would’ve thought.”
Other people like @Dougie_DaGoat expressed their disappointed with the ruling. He said there’s “Two types of justice system in America. Sad day for the rule of law.”
One user warned Black and Hispanic men not to celebrate Trump’s victory or idolize the results. @2Strong2Silence said “To the black & Hispanic men who think Trump is some kind of mob boss or cool dude for being a convicted felon ask yourselves this question: Would he or anyone white look at you with admiration if the situation were reversed?”
@Dreadful4Tymes called the sentencing “interesting” because if Trump was any regular American, he more than likely would’ve gotten a harsher punishment. “The rules really don’t apply to the rich,” he wrote. “The justice system picks and chooses.”
Despite the past and future president receiving no jail time, probation, or any fines, some X users are wondering how his official “felon” status will affect day to day responsibilities as president. “How is Trump going to travel to different countries if he is a convicted felon,” @freakymarko asked.
Trump is set to be inaugurated as the next U.S. president on Jan. 20, 2025, the same day as Martin Luther King Jr’s holiday.
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