A sharply divided Supreme Court on Thursday rejected President-elect Donald Trump's final bid to put his New York hush-money case on hold, clearing the way for him to be sentenced for felony crimes days before he returns to the presidency.

The court turned down Trump's last-minute bid to prevent his sentencing, scheduled for Friday in New York state court in Manhattan 10 days before his inauguration for his second term as president.

The Supreme Court rejected Donald Trump’s request to block criminal proceedings in his hush money case in New York, meaning Friday's sentencing can take place.