The judge presiding over Donald Trump’s hush money trial imposed a $9,000 fine on the former U.S. president for contempt of court on Tuesday. Justice Juan Merchan also cautioned that he might consider imprisonment if Trump continued to disregard the gag order.
In his written ruling, Merchan expressed concern that the fine might not be sufficient to deter the wealthy businessman-turned-politician and regretted his inability to levy a higher penalty. He warned Trump that further willful violations of court orders could lead to incarceration.
Merchan had initially issued the gag order to prevent Trump from making critical remarks about witnesses and other trial participants. The $9,000 fine was based on nine online statements deemed to have breached the order, with Trump being fined $1,000 for each statement. Prosecutors had identified 10 posts as potential violations, including comments criticizing his former lawyer Michael Cohen, who is expected to testify.
Among the contested posts was one referencing a Fox News pundit’s claim about “undercover liberal activists” infiltrating the jury. Trump’s defense that he merely reposted content he did not create was dismissed by Merchan.
The judge instructed Trump to remove the statements from his Truth Social account and campaign website and set a hearing for Thursday to consider additional penalties for other statements.
Trump’s legal team argued that the statements were responses to political attacks, but Merchan noted a lack of evidence supporting this claim. While the $9,000 fine must be paid by Friday, the possibility of imprisonment introduces a new dimension to the trial.
If imprisonment were to occur, logistical questions arise, including whether Trump would be held in a New York City jail or receive alternative arrangements due to security concerns and his status as a former president under Secret Service protection.
Trump, who is running as the Republican candidate in the 2024 presidential election, faces charges related to falsifying business records to conceal a payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2006. He has pleaded not guilty and denied allegations of a sexual encounter with Daniels.
