Former U.S. President Donald Trump has requested that the sentencing in the criminal trial related to the 'alleged hush money payment in a sexual misconduct scandal' be postponed until after the November presidential election, claiming it constitutes 'election interference.'
According to major foreign media including The New York Times (NYT) on the 15th (local time), Todd Blanche, Trump's attorney, stated in a letter to the judge released that day that the sentencing for Trump is scheduled for September 18, seven weeks before the election, and argued that such timing could unfairly influence voters.
The U.S. presidential election will be held on November 5, but many states are conducting early voting. In particular, some states begin early voting around the sentencing date of September 18.
Attorney Blanche said, "The current sentencing is set to occur after early voting for the election has begun," adding, "By postponing the sentencing until after the election, the court can reduce or eliminate concerns related to the integrity of future litigation." He also added, "Putting aside the blatant goal of election interference, there is no valid reason for the court to maintain the current sentencing date."
Former President Trump was brought to trial on charges that he paid $130,000 (approximately 180 million KRW) through his personal lawyer Michael Cohen to former adult film actress Stormy Daniels to prevent her from revealing past sexual encounters just before the 2016 election, and then disguised the payment as legal consulting fees by falsifying company records. The assembled jury unanimously found Trump guilty on all 34 criminal charges.
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