UPDATED: Trump sentenced to unconditional discharge in ‘hush money’ case

President-elect Donald Trump in his sentencing hearing Friday morning received an unconditional discharge.

Trump appeared before the New York City Judge Juan Merchan virtually from Mar-a-Lago, alongside his lawyer. The hearing lasted only 38 minutes.

The case involves “hush money” paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and hiding the payments during the time of the 2016 election. Trump was found guilty in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records

The unconditional discharge comes ahead of Trump’s January 20 inauguration.

"This has been a very terrible experience," Trump said during the hearing.

"I think it's been a tremendous setback for New York and the New York court system."

"It's an injustice of justice. It's been a political witch hunt, it was damage my reputation so I would lose the election."

Trump's sentencing has been pushed back several time since his May conviction. He was first scheduled to appear for his sentencing in July, until the Supreme Court ruled presidents are immune from prosecution for official acts.

Merchan then said he would push back the hearing date, saying he needs time to review his ruling. He also postponed the hearing that was scheduled for September until after the November election.

Trump submitted an application wit the Supreme Court to drop the proceedings altogether, but was denied in a 5-4 vote on Thursday, which Trump afterward called a "fair decision."