Former President Donald Trump faced another contempt-of-court hearing in his Manhattan hush-money trial, where prosecutors argued that he violated his gag order by making statements attacking witnesses and the jury.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Trump’s defense attorney Todd Blanche complained that Trump was unfairly silenced while others, like President Joe Biden and Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen, freely criticized him.
Blanche highlighted instances where Biden made jokes referencing Stormy Daniels, a central figure in the trial, and where Cohen referred to Trump as “Donald ‘Von ShitzInPantz'” on social media.
Despite objections from Blanche, the judge allowed the remarks into the official trial record. Blanche argued that Trump’s opponents could freely attack him while he remained silent, emphasizing that Trump couldn’t even respond when Cohen mocked him using derogatory language.
The courtroom exchange underscored the ongoing tension surrounding the gag order in Trump’s trial. Earlier, Trump had been fined $9,000 for online attacks on witnesses and jurors, with prosecutors seeking an additional $4,000 fine for recent statements made on-camera.
Trump’s repeated violations of the gag order have raised questions about potential consequences, including jail time. While the district attorney’s office has not requested jail, both prosecutors and the judge have warned that it could be considered for future violations.
Despite Trump’s complaints about the gag order’s restrictions, the judge expressed skepticism towards Blanche’s argument, noting that there was nothing preventing Trump from responding to criticism. However, the judge also acknowledged the imbalance in protection, as Cohen and Daniels could freely criticize Trump without facing similar restrictions.
As the trial continues, the issue of the gag order remains a focal point, highlighting the challenges of maintaining fairness and impartiality in high-profile legal proceedings.