Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz told Newsmax that President Donald Trump’s conviction in the Manhattan hush money case is not the end of the legal battle—and could soon be reversed. Despite Judge Juan Merchan’s unusual decision to issue an “unconditional discharge” without jail time, fines, or probation, Dershowitz confirmed that Trump is moving forward with a formal appeal.
“The case is going to be appealed,” Dershowitz said during his Friday appearance on The Record with Greta Van Susteren. “Trump has hired Sullivan and Cromwell to be his lawyers… and, ultimately, the Supreme Court. The case will be appealed.”
While some legal observers have questioned whether an appeal can proceed without a finalized sentence, Dershowitz said the conditional discharge is still enough to trigger appellate review. He acknowledged that lower courts may raise jurisdictional questions but insisted the process is already underway and likely to proceed.
“He gave a sentence that was a non-sentence, but it’s enough to end the case and allow him to appeal,” Dershowitz noted, emphasizing that legal filings are in progress.
Dershowitz did not hold back in his assessment of the case’s merits, calling it “the weakest case in my 60 years of practicing law.” He predicted that the conviction would be reversed, either at the appellate level or higher.
The case centers on 34 felony counts related to Trump’s classification of a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels as a “legal expense.” Trump has denied wrongdoing, asserting that the charges were part of a politically motivated attack to interfere with the 2024 election.
Following the May conviction, Trump issued a scathing response on Truth Social, calling the trial a “sham” and affirming his plans to appeal. “The real Jury, the American People, have spoken, by Re-Electing me with an overwhelming MANDATE,” he wrote.
Dershowitz previously criticized Judge Merchan for what he called a “sneaky” legal move that allowed the sentencing to proceed while shielding it from early Supreme Court intervention. Nonetheless, Dershowitz maintains confidence in the appellate path ahead.
