Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office have accused former President Trump of violating a gag order on ten separate occasions since it was implemented on April 1.
The gag order, aimed at preventing Trump from targeting witnesses, prosecutors, court staff, and the judge’s family in his hush money case, was imposed due to allegations that he paid off a porn actor prior to the 2016 election to conceal an alleged affair. The payment was allegedly falsely recorded as a legal expense.
Ex President Donald Trump (Credits: CNN)
During a hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors urged the court to compel Trump to remove ten posts — eight from his social media account and two from his campaign website — arguing that they contravene the gag order. Additionally, prosecutors are seeking a $1,000 fine for each post.
Several of these posts reportedly contain attacks on Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney and fixer, as well as Stormy Daniels, whom Cohen allegedly paid off on Trump’s behalf to maintain silence about the alleged affair.
While the hearing regarding the gag order concluded on Tuesday morning, Judge Juan Merchan, overseeing the case in Manhattan, has yet to issue a ruling.
The allegations of Trump’s violations of the gag order add another layer of complexity to an already contentious legal battle. The former president’s penchant for using social media to express his opinions and grievances has collided with legal restrictions aimed at ensuring a fair trial process.
Former USA President Donald Trump (Credits: Britannica)
The prosecutors’ request for Trump to remove the posts and their call for fines underscore the seriousness with which they view his alleged violations. It remains to be seen how Judge Merchan will rule on the matter and what consequences, if any, Trump will face for his actions.
The ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Trump’s hush money case continue to draw public attention and scrutiny, highlighting the intersection of politics, law, and media in high-profile legal battles.
