Donald Trump has been found in contempt of court for violating the hush money ban and fined $9,000.
Judge Juan Merchan also warned the former president that he could face jail time if he did it again, in a stern warning to start the third week of the case.
There was good news for the 77-year-old, as Judge Merchan ruled that he could attend Barron’s high school graduation ceremony next month.
Trump was fined $1,000 each for a series of social media posts targeting witness Michael Cohen and questioning the jury’s bias.
Donald Trump has been found in contempt of court for violating the hush money ban and fined $9,000
The judge also asked Trump to delete the offensive messages.
The decision follows a contentious court hearing in which Trump’s lawyer argued that none of the messages or statements violated the silence order and cited arguments based on the First Amendment.
The judge acknowledged these sensitivities, saying he was “keenly aware of and protective of the defendant’s First Amendment rights.”
Sweetener: Even as Judge Mercan found Trump in contempt, he ruled he could attend his son Barron’s graduation in May
Judge Merchan found Trump in contempt and fined him $9,000 for violating a silence order he had imposed
But he threatened to impose a “jail sentence” if Trump continued.
Trump again criticized the judge on his way to court – once again complaining about his inability to recuse himself from the case.
That was a veiled reference to Judge Merchan’s daughter, whose work for a digital advocacy firm with prominent Democratic clients is the basis for some of Trump’s attacks.
Judge Merchan updated his gag order to ban attacks on family members.
“It’s called recusal abuse,” Trump said Tuesday in criminal court in Manhattan. “The judge should close the case because they don’t have a case,” he said.
Judge Merchan sentenced Trump lawyer Todd Blanche during a hearing where prosecutors alleged violations of the gag one by one.
Blanche tried to make arguments while his client looked on, sometimes but the judge was not convinced.
“Mr. Blanche, you are losing all credibility, I have to tell you that now,” Merchan said. ‘You lose all credibility with the court. Is there any other argument you would like to make?’ he said at one point.