Donald Trump fined $5,000 for violating gag order in New York fraud case; judge mentions prison
Story by Bart Jansen and David Jackson, USA TODAY • 3h

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news...9ca7db5a0960f2&ei=68

Donald Trump was fined $5,000 Friday by the judge in his New York civil trial because a social media post disparaging one of his staffers remained visible for weeks.

New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron had ordered Trump on Oct. 3 not to criticize his staff and to delete the post that showed his clerk, Allison Greenfield, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and accused her of being his girlfriend. But the post remained visible for weeks.

"Make no mistake: future violations, whether intentional or unintentional, will subject the violator to far more severe sanctions, which may include, but are not limited to, steeper financial penalties, holding Donald Trump in contempt of court, and possibly imprisoning him," Engoron said.

Engoron called Truth Social’s retention of the post a “blatant violation” of his limited gag order.

“Incendiary untruths can and have led to serious physical harm,” Engoron said. “I will now allow the defendant to explain why this should not end up with serious sanctions or I could possibly imprison him.”

Trump wasn’t in court Friday, but the post was removed late Thursday.

Before the post was removed, Trump’s campaign sent it out as an email to his supporters. Christopher Kise, one of Trump’s lawyers, said the email was sent to 25,800 recipients and opened by about 6,700. About 3,700 people viewed the post on Trump’s campaign website, Kise said.

The dispute illustrated how judges could potentially penalize Trump even before verdicts in the various civil and criminal cases pending against him. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has also ordered Trump not to criticize prosecutors, court staff or witnesses in his federal trial on charges he conspired to overturn the 2020 election.

Trump asked Chutkan on Friday to suspend her order while he appeals her decision.

It should have been $50,000, but at least it's a shot across his bow. He needs to spend a few nights in jail so he can get accustomed to what an extended stay will feel like later.

BFD. Is that supposed to be some kind of warning? Laughable, pitiful fine.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news...ad8d767219693c&ei=70

MAGA lawyers take a sweetheart deal for democracy. Trump should be frightened
Story by Norman Eisen & Joshua Kolb • 11h

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news...ad8d767219693c&ei=73

Sidney Powell, Kenneth Chesebro May Still See Prison: Kirschner
Story by Thomas Kika • 2h