The Manhattan judge overseeing Donald Trump’s $250 million civil fraud trial threatened the ex-president with jail time for a “blatant violation” of a gag order — after Trump failed to remove a screenshot of a social media post attacking the judge’s clerk from his campaign website.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron asked Trump’s lawyers to explain why Trump should not be fined or “possibly” jailed after a screenshot of the offending post remained on Trump’s website weeks after a court order barred him from publicly criticizing Engoron’s staff.
“I will now grant defendants the opportunity to explain why this blatant violation of the gag order should not result in serious sanctions including financial penalties, holding Donald Trump in contempt, or possibly imprisoning him,” Engoron seethed before Trump’s trial resumed Friday morning.
Trump attorney Chris Kise claimed that the social media screenshot had been posted “automatically” to Trump’s campaign website, and said it was an oversight that the post remained up until last night.
Judge Engoron said that he would take Kise’s explanation “under advisement” and issue a ruling later.
Friday morning’s drama was just the latest twist in what has become a chaotic scene at the lower Manhattan courthouse where Trump, his company and his two eldest sons face allegations that they inflated the value of Trump’s real estate empire to get favorable terms with banks.
Trump, 77, is not required to be present for the civil trial but he attended in person for three days during the first week of the trial. He then returned Tuesday and Wednesday — taking every chance to argue to the assembled media that the case is “corrupt” and painting himself as the alleged victim of a “witch hunt.”
On Wednesday, a New York state court employee was escorted out of the courtroom and arrested after she tried to approach the former — claiming she wanted to help him.
Tensions have also risen between Trump’s attorneys and lawyers for New York Attorney General Letitia James, including on Thursday, when the AG’s office accused Trump’s lawyer Kise not treating them with respect.
“Excuse me, be more respectful,” AG lawyer Colleen Faherty could be heard saying during the private meeting by the judge’s bench.
“No,” answered Kise.
Judge Engoron has already found Trump liable for fraud — the top claim in James’ sprawling suit — and has said the ex-president made “indisputably” false statements on his financial filings.
Trump’s team is appealing that ruling, which could hamper his longtime company’s ability to operate in the Empire State.