Donald Trump Fined $5,000 in Civil Fraud Trial for Violating Gag Order

Noah Silverbrook

Updated Friday, October 20, 2023 at 10:22 PM CDT

Donald Trump Fined $5,000 in Civil Fraud Trial for Violating Gag Order

Former President Donald Trump has been fined $5,000 by Judge Arthur Engoron in his $250 million civil fraud trial. The fine comes as a result of Trump's violation of a partial gag order imposed by the judge. Engoron raised the possibility of imprisoning Trump for defying the order, which Trump's defense attorney claimed was inadvertent. The violation occurred when Trump posted an untrue and disparaging post about the judge's law clerk on social media. The judge ordered Trump to remove the post immediately, but it remained on his 2024 campaign website for 17 days before being taken down.

Engoron warned Trump against future violations and mentioned steeper financial penalties, contempt of court, and imprisonment as possible consequences. Violating the gag order is considered a blatant violation and may lead to serious sanctions. The judge expressed anger about the replication of the deleted post on Trump's campaign website and questioned why he shouldn't impose "serious" sanctions.

The civil fraud trial, which began in early October, involves allegations made by New York Attorney General Letitia James. She sued Trump, alleging that he and his two adult sons engaged in efforts to inflate Trump's personal net worth. James is seeking about $250 million in penalties and aims to permanently bar the Trump family from serving as officers of New York companies. Additionally, she seeks to prevent Trump from striking commercial real estate deals in the state for five years.

Trump's defense attorney, Christopher Kise, apologized for the violation, claiming it was an inadvertent oversight due to the presidential campaign's machinery. Kise stated that there have been no subsequent postings about the clerk or other court staff. However, Judge Engoron expressed skepticism about Kise's argument and held Trump responsible for the campaign's actions.

Judge Engoron wrote in his order that incendiary untruths can lead to physical harm, highlighting the seriousness of the violation. The judge's ruling last month found Trump and his company in violation of state fraud law. Trump and the other defendants deny wrongdoing, arguing that subjective valuations were made.

During the trial, tensions escalated between Kise and attorneys for the New York Attorney General's office. Kise was called "rude" by one of James' attorneys, who accused him of not caring about a witness's right against self-incrimination. Trump himself attended the trial and was accused of intimidating the witness. Judge Engoron had to intervene and ask everyone to be quiet while the witness was testifying.

The campaign spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment regarding the fine imposed on Trump. The trial continues, with the judge closely monitoring Trump's compliance with the gag order and warning of further consequences for any future violations.

The civil fraud trial against Donald Trump has taken a dramatic turn as he has been fined $5,000 for violating a partial gag order. The judge has warned Trump of more severe penalties, including imprisonment, if he continues to defy the order. The trial, brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleges that Trump and his sons engaged in efforts to inflate his net worth. As the trial progresses, tensions have risen between Trump's defense attorney and the attorneys for the Attorney General's office. The judge remains vigilant in ensuring compliance with the gag order and stresses the potential harm caused by spreading untruths.

Republican Bias:

In the latest example of the liberal witch hunt against former President Donald Trump, Judge Arthur Engoron, clearly taking cues from the left, has slapped a $5,000 fine on Trump for a supposed violation of a partial gag order. The violation, which Trump's defense attorney insists was unintentional, was an alleged disparaging post about the judge's law clerk. The judge, in an obvious power play, threatened Trump with potential jail time, going beyond the bounds of judicial impartiality. The trial itself, initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James, is nothing more than a political hit job, an attempt to smear Trump and his family with baseless allegations of fraud. Despite the left's relentless attempts to derail Trump's 2024 campaign, the truth will prevail.

Liberal Bias:

Once again, Donald Trump has shown his complete disregard for the rule of law, this time incurring a $5,000 fine for violating a partial gag order in his ongoing civil fraud trial. The violation, a defamatory post about the judge's law clerk, was not removed from his 2024 campaign website for 17 days, demonstrating Trump's flagrant disrespect for the court. The trial itself, brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, seeks to hold Trump and his sons accountable for fraudulent attempts to inflate Trump's personal net worth. Despite Trump's defense attorney's weak attempts to brush off the violation as an inadvertent oversight, Judge Engoron held Trump responsible, as he should be. This trial is a testament to the importance of holding powerful figures accountable for their actions, no matter how untouchable they may seem.

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