CRIME, POLICE + COURTS

Donald Trump fined $9,000 for violating gag order in hush money case

Apr 30, 2024, 8:27 AM | Updated: 9:05 am

Former president Donald Trump fined for violating gag order...

Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at a pre-trial hearing in a hush money case at Manhattan Criminal Court on February 15, 2024 in New York City. Trump is facing charges that he falsified business records to pay women hush money. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Updated: 30 APR 24 10:22 ET

(CNN) — New York Judge Juan Merchan has fined former President Donald Trump for repeatedly violating the gag order in the hush money trial.

Trump must also remove the seven “offending posts” from Truth Social and the two “offending posts” from his campaign website by 2:15 p.m. ET Tuesday.

Merchan ruled Trump violated the gag order nine times for criticizing expected trial witnesses in posts on social media and his campaign page. Trump must pay the $9,000 fine by the end of the week.

Related: Federal prosecutors want Trump gag order upheld

Merchan also threatened incarceration if Trump willfully violates the gag order again, writing in his ruling, “THEREFORE, Defendant is hereby warned that the Court will not tolerate continued willful violations of its lawful orders and that if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, it will impose an incarceratory punishment.”

Trump did not visibly react as the judge was reading his decision in court.

Reposts are endorsements, judge says

In last week’s hearing on gag order violations, Trump’s defense argued that reposts of other people’s words do not violate the gag order and that the posts represent protected political speech in response to attacks.

Merchan rejected both arguments in his contempt ruling Tuesday.

First, he found that reposts are, in this case, endorsements.

“There can be no doubt whatsoever, that Defendant’s intent and purpose when reposting, is to communicate to his audience that he endorses and adopts the posted statement as his own,” Merchan wrote.

Second, Merchan acknowledged that the gag order does allow Trump to respond to political attacks, but said criticisms of key witnesses were not allowed.

“To allow such attacks upon protected witnesses with blanket assertions that they are all responses to ‘political attacks’ would be an exception that swallowed the rule. The Expanded Order does not contain such an exception,” he wrote.

Prosecutors had asked Merchan to hold Trump in contempt for violating the gag order, citing 10 social media posts from before and during the trial where the district attorney’s office accused Trump of violating the judge’s restrictions barring Trump from commenting on witnesses and jurors. They also want the posts taken down.

Prosecutors cited Trump’s comments about Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels and the makeup of the jury pool.

The judge made the ruling after a hearing last week that, at times, got heated between him and Trump’s defense attorney Todd Blanche.

Prosecutors have subsequently flagged an additional four comments that Trump has made since last week’s hearing, including about Cohen and former AMI chief David Pecker, who testified last week. Merchan has scheduled another hearing on Thursday to address those comments.

$1,000 per violation is the maximum allowed by New York State law.

This is the first sanction against Trump for violating the gag order in this case.

This story has been updated with additional details.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Crime, Police + Courts

FILE: A United States District Court emblem is seen in a courtroom in the Salt Lake City Federal Co...

Simone Seikaly

Former gymnastics coach pleads guilty to new charges involving cameras, bathrooms

Gymnastics coach Adam Richard Jacobs has plead guilty to putting a camera in a minor's hotel room and bathroom.

17 hours ago

On Wednesday a probation fugitive fled police leading to a high speed car chase involving several p...

Diana Jones

Multi-department car chase leads to capture of fugitive

On Wednesday a probation fugitive fled police leading to a high speed car chase involving several police departments. 

2 days ago

Unified and Murray police officers responding to a traffic stop by ICE agents on Jan. 26, 2025....

Michael Houck

Unified police say ICE agents made inaccurate claims about driver swerving toward them

A Utah police agency said ICE agents made false claims about a driver swerving toward them during a traffic stop last week.

3 days ago

student stabbed...

Mary Culbertson

1 student stabbed during fight at Weber County middle school

One student was taken to the hospital Tuesday after they were stabbed during a fight in the Weber School District.

3 days ago

FILE - The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office in Salt Lake City. (KSL TV)...

Michael Houck

Utah man charged with abusing teen in 2006 as her church leader

According to charging documents, 68-year-old Mark Lehnhof Stevens used his position as the girl’s bishop to abuse her on several occasions.

4 days ago

Handcuffs stock image A controversial bill proposing changes to Utah’s sex offender registry was ...

SHARA PARK

Bill proposes changes to Utah’s sex offender registry

A controversial bill proposing changes to Utah’s sex offender registry was met with both support and criticism on Capitol Hill Friday.

6 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Donald Trump fined $9,000 for violating gag order in hush money case