Donald Trump, the President-elect, received his sentencing for a felony conviction on Friday, leading to mixed reactions from the public and commentators.

The situation was described as an “insane spectacle,” reflecting Trump’s contentious reputation, his historical significance, and the growing skepticism surrounding political and judicial institutions in the U.S., according to a historian observing the case.

“Today’s events speak volumes about the entire Trump era,” stated Matthew Dallek, a political management professor at George Washington University. “It’s shockingly tawdry, yet it also involves a serious felony conviction.”

“The fact that he was convicted on 34 felony counts and still secured a White House victory is a striking representation of American politics around 2025,” Dallek remarked, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of a former or incoming president facing felony charges.

Responses from lawmakers in both parties illustrated this distrust, with members from each side suggesting that the legal proceedings were biased.

“Americans,” Dallek continued, “are becoming increasingly doubtful, cynical, and disillusioned with the political framework, including the courts and the criminal justice system that have led Trump to this courthouse.”

Trump was convicted on May 30 in Manhattan Criminal Court of 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records to obscure payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. On Friday, Judge Juan Merchan ordered an “unconditional discharge,” meaning Trump will not serve any prison time or probation as he prepares to assume the presidency again on January 20.

Reactions to Trump’s sentencing were strong across the board:

Statements from Trump and the Judge

“This has been a very terrible experience,” Trump stated while speaking remotely from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, when given the chance to address the judge.

“It was orchestrated to harm my reputation and ensure my electoral loss,” he claimed regarding the charges filed on April 4, 2023, by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “I am completely innocent. I did nothing wrong.”

Judge Juan Merchan, who has been involved with the case from the start, held a different perspective based on the evidence presented during the trial and Trump’s convictions.

“It involved the deliberate and ongoing deception by the leader of the free world,” Judge Merchan stated.

Support from Republicans for Trump

Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee expressed her views on X, labeling Trump’s sentencing as “ridiculous and disgraceful.”

“This witch hunt and ruling,” Blackburn asserted, “are an affront to the American people.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana backed Trump’s intention to appeal, arguing the case “was never about the facts” and “shouldn’t have been brought at all.”

“The judge manipulated the legal system, transforming what should have been a minor misdemeanor into a felony purely for partisan reasons,” Johnson commented on X. “Judge Merchan and the misguided prosecution have severely harmed our justice system.”

Democrats believe Trump should face consequences

Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett from Texas, who previously worked as a public defender, indicated that Trump received leniency for serious offenses, while highlighting that a 17-year-old she represented faced felony probation for stealing candy from a school concession stand.

“There is a double standard in our justice system,” Crockett remarked on X, “and Donald Trump is on the tier where he can walk into the White House without facing jail time or probation after being convicted of 34 felonies.”

Nikos Passas, a criminology and criminal justice professor at Northeastern University, emphasized that Trump’s “unconditional discharge” raises significant concerns about the fairness of the judicial process.

“Allowing lenience in serious legal matters, especially felonies, could create a situation where political influence affects judicial decisions, which may diminish public confidence in the legal system,” cautioned Passas.