The Manhattan District Attorney’s office has requested Justice Merchan to fine Donald Trump $3,000 and hold him in contempt of court for violating a gag order by criticizing trial witnesses. Trump, 77, was instructed to adhere to a limited gag order issued in March that prohibited him from making negative comments about individuals involved in the hush money trial, such as Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels. While Trump is allowed to criticize the Manhattan DA and Judge Merchan, he cannot attack their families. Despite this, Trump made disparaging remarks about Cohen and Daniels on social media over the weekend, including sharing a statement from Daniels from 2018 and falsely claiming it was new.
Prosecutors are urging Merchan to impose a $3,000 fine on Trump for three instances of breaching the gag order, with a warning that he could face up to 30 days in jail if he continues to violate the court order. Trump’s legal team is expected to submit their own court documents, and a hearing on the matter has been scheduled for the following week. Trump has publicly criticized the gag order online and has called for it to be lifted, displaying his defiance of the restrictions imposed by the court.
One of the incidents that raised concerns was Trump sharing Daniels’ denial of having had sex with him in 2018 and presenting it as new information. However, Daniels has stated that she was coerced into issuing the statement and has described her alleged encounter with Trump as the worst 90 seconds of her life. The ongoing legal battle between Trump and the Manhattan DA’s office has resulted in multiple accusations of violating the gag order, leading to the current request for fines and potential jail time for the former president.
The trial involving Trump and the hush money payments has attracted significant attention, with the former president facing legal consequences for his actions during the 2016 presidential campaign. Despite the restrictions imposed by the gag order, Trump has continued to publicly express his views on the case, leading to further complications and legal challenges. The upcoming court hearing will address the allegations of breaching the gag order, and the outcome could have significant implications for Trump’s legal standing and future actions.
Trump’s repeated defiance of the gag order and his continued criticism of trial witnesses have prompted strong responses from the Manhattan DA’s office, including the request for fines and potential imprisonment. The legal battle surrounding Trump’s actions during the hush money trial has become increasingly contentious, with both sides presenting their arguments before Justice Merchan. The outcome of the hearing next week will determine the consequences for Trump’s actions and could set a precedent for how gag orders are enforced in high-profile cases involving public figures.
