Trump Fined $10,000 For Violating Gag Order Again

In a recent development in the Manhattan civil fraud trial, former President Donald Trump has been fined $10,000 for breaching his gag order for the second time. New York State Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron issued the fine in an attempt to hold Trump accountable for remarks he made to the media during a midmorning break, where he accused the judge of bias.

During his statement, Trump expressed his concerns, stating, “If we had a jury, it would have been fair, at least – even if it was a somewhat negative jury – because no negative jury would vote against me. But this judge will. Because this judge is a very partisan judge, with a person who’s very partisan sitting alongside him, perhaps even much more partisan than he is.”

When Engoron pressed Trump to clarify his reference, the former president identified Michael Cohen, his former personal lawyer who was testifying against him. However, Engoron remained skeptical and insisted Trump was referring to his court clerk instead. While blowback from the ruling pushed the judge to rethink the fine, he stuck to his initial decision and upheld the fine.

#BREAKING: Trump takes witness stand in New York fraud trial and hit with another fine

DETAILS: https://t.co/GsqZwQhHIb https://t.co/GsqZwQhHIb

— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) October 25, 2023

This is not the first time Trump has faced fines for violating the gag order. Less than a week ago, he was fined $5,000 after the judge cautioned him against criticizing his head court clerk. In a post that insinuated bias within the court, the GOP presidential candidate had shared a photograph of the clerk standing alongside Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), referring to her as “Schumer’s girlfriend.”

Engoron issued a stern warning to Trump, hinting at potential imprisonment for further violations of the gag rule. He emphasized, “Personal attacks on members of my court staff are not appropriate and I will not tolerate it under any circumstance.”

The civil lawsuit was initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James, targeting not only the former president but also his two sons and the Trump Organization. James is seeking a hefty fine of $250 million against Trump and the revocation of his business licenses in New York.

In September, Engoron had previously ruled that Trump had committed fraud in one of the seven charges. However, an appellate court has since issued a stay against the dissolution of Trump’s business licenses, adding further complexity to this ongoing legal battle.