Trump Found In Contempt, Again, As Judge Warns Of Jail Time

NEW YORK CITY — Donald Trump will face jail time if he keeps violating a gag order in his hush-money trial, a judge told the former president.

Judge Juan Merchan on Monday found Trump in contempt for the 10th time and fined him $1,000.

He warned Trump that he could pay with his freedom, rather than with his checkbook, if he continued to attack the "rule of law" with statements against jurors.

"I cannot allow that to continue," Merchan told Trump.

"As much as I don't want to impose a jail sanction, I want you to understand that I will have to if necessary and appropriate."

Trump had already been fined $9,000 for nine previous violations of a gag order.

The new fine and warning stemmed from Trump contending in an April 22 broadcast that his jury was filled with Democrats.

"The jury was picked so fast. 95 percent Democrats. The area’s mostly all Democrat," he said.

Merchan said Trump had raised the specter of fear for the jurors and their loved ones.

Trump has been consistently posting on Truth Social about the trial, including direct attacks on Merchan and prosecutors.

"The Judge is letting things into this Witch Hunt that would NEVER be let in by a fair Judge," is just one recent example.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.