Donald Trump Fined $5,000 for Violating Partial Gag Order in New York Civil Fraud Case

Former President Donald Trump was fined $5,000 on Friday for violating a partial gag order in his New York civil fraud case. The order required Trump to remove a post trashing the judge’s law clerk on social media.

Judge Arthur Engoron of the New York Supreme Court imposed the fine after Trump’s post lingered on his campaign website for weeks after the judge ordered it deleted. The post was an untrue and disparaging statement about the judge’s clerk. Trump’s lawyers said the website’s retention of the post had been an oversight.

Engoron said he was only fining Trump a nominal amount because this was a “first time violation”. However, the judge reserved the right to hold Trump in contempt and possibly even put the 2024 Republican front-runner in jail if he again violates the limited gag order.

The $250 million civil fraud trial is related to Trump’s failed business venture, Trump University. Trump is accused of defrauding students who paid for real estate seminars. The trial is expected to begin in the fall.

The $5,000 fine is the latest legal setback for Trump, who is facing multiple lawsuits and investigations related to his business dealings and his time in office. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has vowed to fight the charges.