A New York judge Tuesday held Donald Trump in contempt of court, ruling the former president violated a gag order in his hush money case and threatened to throw the 2024 Republican White House nominee in jail if he continues to violate it.
Judge Juan M. Merchan said he was limted to $1,000 fines for each violation so he ordered Trump to pay $9,000 for nine violations.
Trump stared down at the table in front of him as the judge read the ruling, the Associated Press reported. He frowned slightly but otherwise showed no expression according to the report.
Eric Trump was in court on Tuesday. It was the first time a member of the ex-president's family attended the trial.
The gag order was issued in an effort to prevent the presumptive Republican nominee from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, and jurors in connection with the crimal case.
Merchan warned Trump he will be jailed if he continues to violate the gag order.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg - a frequent target of the former president - requested that Judge Juan M. Merchan impose the order due to Trump's "longstanding history of attacking witnesses, investigators, prosecutors, judges, and others involved in legal proceedings against him."
Trump is charged with 34 felonies for allegedly falsifying business records to cover up payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels. He could face up to four years in prison if convicted.
The former president has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the case.
Merchan will hold a hearing Thursday on four more alleged violations of the gag order.
