In a significant development in his criminal hush money trial in New York, Donald Trump has been held in contempt of court by Judge Juan Merchan for repeatedly violating a gag order. The judge found that Trump violated the gag order nine times, targeting jurors and likely witnesses in the trial. Merchan fined Trump $1,000 for each violation and ordered him to remove all posts by a specific time.
Background of the Case
The hush money trial revolves around a $130,000 payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors allege that Trump falsified business records to influence the 2016 presidential election. The gag order was imposed to prevent Donald Trump from discussing the case publicly.
Trump’s Violations and Judge’s Ruling
Despite the gag order, Trump violated it multiple times in online posts. Merchan ruled that Trump’s reposts also constituted violations. The judge warned Trump of potential incarceration if he continues to violate court orders.
Reaction and Legal Arguments
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney who paid Daniels, praised the ruling, emphasizing that no one is above the law. Trump’s campaign has not responded to the ruling. During the hearing, prosecutors argued that Trump knowingly violated the gag order, while Trump’s attorney defended the posts as responses to political comments.
Continuation of Testimony and Trump’s Statements
Gary Farro, a banker involved in the hush money payment, testified that his bank would have asked more questions if they knew about Cohen’s payment to a porn star. Meanwhile, Trump reiterated his call for the judge to recuse himself from the case and dismiss it entirely, claiming there is no case against him.
Overview of the Trial
The trial began with opening statements and testimony from witnesses like David Pecker and Rhona Graff. Pecker, the former CEO of American Media, testified about efforts to suppress damaging information about Trump. He detailed payments made to buy stories and prevent them from coming to light.
Conclusion
The judge’s ruling marks a significant turn in Trump’s trial, highlighting the seriousness of violating court orders. The trial’s outcome could have significant implications for Trump’s future legal battles and political aspirations.
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