Politics & Government
Trump Fined $9K For Violating NYC Hush-Money Trial Gag Order
Judge Juan Merchan found former President Donald Trump in contempt Tuesday and warned further violations could send him to jail.
NEW YORK CITY — Donald Trump must pay $9,000 in fines for violating a gag order barring him from bad-mouthing witnesses and jurors in his hush-money trial.
The decision by Judge Juan Merchan Tuesday found Trump in contempt and warned further violations could send the former president to jail.
Trump received the fine after he used his Truth Social account and campaign website to attack witnesses, namely his former lawyer Michael Cohen.
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"Defendant violated the Order by making social media posts about known witnesses pertaining to their participation in this criminal proceeding and by making public statements about jurors in this criminal proceeding," the order states.
Merchan imposed $1,000 fines each for nine gag order violations, but noted the penalty may not dissuade the wealthy Trump.
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He noted he couldn't impose greater fines that could stop Trump from disparaging witnesses.
"Because this Court is not cloaked with such discretion, it must therefore consider whether in some instances, jail may be a necessary punishment," he wrote.
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