NEW YORK — President-elect Donald J. Trump’s efforts to delay his criminal sentencing suffered another setback on Tuesday after a New York appeals court judge denied his request to postpone the proceeding.

Trump, who was convicted in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, is set to be sentenced on Friday, 10 January 2025—just 10 days before his inauguration.

Legal Setback and Court Skepticism

Associate Justice Ellen Gesmer swiftly rejected Trump’s emergency request after a brief hearing, where his lawyers argued that immunity from prosecution should extend to a president-elect during the transition period.

Justice Gesmer appeared skeptical, pressing Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, on whether such immunity had any legal basis. “There’s never been a case like this before,” Blanche admitted.

In her ruling, Gesmer wrote: “After consideration of the papers submitted and the extensive oral argument, movant's application for an interim stay is denied.”

The decision leaves Trump with limited legal options. His team can appeal the ruling to the full appellate court bench or petition the U.S. Supreme Court.

Symbolic Sentencing Expected, But Appeals Continue

The sentencing—overseen by Judge Juan Merchan—is expected to be largely symbolic. Merchan has indicated he will likely grant Trump an unconditional discharge, meaning no jail time, fines, or probation.

However, Trump’s lawyers continue to argue the case should be dismissed entirely, citing presidential immunity and the potential disruption to the transition of power.

Trump lashed out at Merchan on Tuesday, calling him a “crooked judge” and criticizing the gag order imposed during the case.

Merchan ruled last week that Trump’s current status as president-elect does not afford him immunity, noting that immunity would only take effect once Trump is sworn in on 20 January.

Delays and Legal Maneuvers

Trump has leaned heavily on delay tactics, filing multiple appeals and motions to postpone sentencing until after the election.

The strategy proved successful in other cases:

• Federal cases in Washington, D.C., and Florida were dropped due to DOJ policies prohibiting prosecution of sitting presidents.

• Georgia’s election interference case stalled indefinitely after a prosecutor was disqualified.

However, in New York, the delays ran out. Justice Gesmer highlighted the timeline, stating the last-minute rush was a result of Trump’s own legal maneuvers.

Political Fallout and Global Response

The case marks an unprecedented moment in U.S. history, with Trump set to re-enter the White House as the first convicted felon president-elect.

Critics warn the conviction could undermine America’s democratic credibility, while supporters argue it highlights political persecution.

Internationally, Meta’s decision to end fact-checking programs and adopt “community notes”—a move seen as aligning with Trump’s policies—fueled debates about free speech versus misinformation.

Meanwhile, Trump’s allies continue reshaping his image. Reports surfaced that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg dined with Trump and donated $1 million to his inauguration fund.