NEW YORK, Jan 10, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - A judge sentenced Donald Trump to an unconditional discharge Friday for covering up hush money payments to a porn star despite the US president-elect's last-ditch efforts to avoid becoming the first felon in the White House.

"This court has determined that the only lawful sentence that permits entry of a judgement of conviction without encroaching on the highest office of the land, is an unconditional discharge"," said New York judge Juan Merchan delivering the sentence during a court session that Trump attended virtually.