New York, NY – The judge overseeing the hush money case involving former President Donald Trump held him in criminal contempt for violating a gag order on social media platform Truth Social. Judge Juan Merchan fined Trump $1,000 for each of the nine violations of the gag order and warned of potential jail time if further violations occur.
Merchan emphasized the importance of abiding by court orders, stating that the fines imposed may not be enough to deter someone of Trump’s wealth. He noted that jail time could be necessary as a more effective punishment in certain instances.
The gag order prohibits Trump from making public statements about witnesses or potential jurors involved in the case. Merchan instructed Trump to remove several posts from his Truth Social account and campaign website by a specified deadline.
In response to criticisms from expected witnesses Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels, Merchan hinted at the possibility of modifying the gag order to exclude certain individuals if deemed necessary.
Cohen, in a statement following the ruling, emphasized the significance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their status. Trump’s legal team argued that the former president was not purposely violating the gag order, but rather responding to attacks.
The case involves allegations of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made by Trump’s attorney, Cohen, to Daniels during the 2016 campaign. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and could face up to four years in prison if convicted.
The situation is likely to be capitalized on by Trump’s campaign and supporters, potentially fueling fundraising efforts. The judge’s decision marks a significant development in a case that has garnered widespread attention.