Donald Trump received an L when a judge held him in contempt on Tuesday (April 30).
According to the Associated Press, Donald had repeatedly violated a gag order barring him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and others in connection with his hush money case in New York. According to the judge, if he violates this regulation again, he could face a prison sentence.
In addition to the contempt of court, Donald was fined $9,000 for the violation. He must pay the fine by close of business on Friday.
The judge also ordered him to delete the offending posts from his Truth Social account and campaign website, which he had already done.
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More details on Donald Trump’s court developments
Prosecutors had alleged that Trump violated the gag order at least 10 times. However, New York Judge Juan M. Merchan found a total of nine violations.
Up to this point, Trump has been very vocal about exercising his right to free speech. Although the judge agreed to such protection, his decision also serves as a reminder that Donnie is a criminal defendant subject to trial, according to the AP.
“It is critically important that the defendant’s legitimate rights to freedom of expression are not restricted, that he is able to compete fully for the office he seeks, and that he is able to respond to political attacks to respond and defend against them,” Judge Merchan said.
However, the judge made it clear that Donald cannot and will not ignore court rulings such as the silence order. According to Merchan, the court will not allow this “willful violations of his lawful orders.”
“…if it is necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, [the court] will impose a burning penalty,” the judge added.
As the judge read the verdict, Donald reportedly stared at the table in front of him and frowned slightly. The former president did not respond to reporters’ loud questions about the fine in the courthouse hallway as the hearing resumed in the afternoon.
Note that this is not Trump’s first experience with gag orders or fines for violating them. Gag orders were also imposed during his civil fraud trial, according to the AP. After the court found that Donald had violated these orders, he reportedly paid more than $15,000 in fines.
Why is the former president now on trial?
This week was the second week of testimony in the so-called “hush money trial” against Trump.
Prosecutors in Manhattan argue that Trump and his associates engaged in an illegal scheme to influence the 2016 presidential campaign by buying and then burying unpleasant stories.
At least three people received payouts, including a doorman, former Playboy model Karen McDougal and former adult entertainment employee Stormy Daniels. Karen reportedly accused Donald of having an affair, while Stormy claimed a sexual encounter. Trump pleaded not guilty and said the stories were all false.
Meanwhile, Judge Merchan also weighed in further alleged violations of the gag order by Trump and will hear arguments on Thursday.
Speaking of gags! Early Tuesday, there was chatter on the Innanet streets about Kendrick Lamar gagging Drake with his response disident titled “Euphoria.”
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Associated Press writers Michael R. Sisak, Jennifer Peltz, Jake Offenhartz and Colleen Long contributed to this report.