DA's office seeks up to $1K fine for every Donald Trump post violating gag order, Internet says 'not enough'

Netizens believe Donald Trump should face consequences for disregarding the April 1 gag order
UPDATED APR 24, 2024
Former president Donald Trump may be fined for violating gag order with social media posts (Getty Images)
Former president Donald Trump may be fined for violating gag order with social media posts (Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump claimed that the former president was in violation of the gag order that prevented him from attacking witnesses and jurors on social media during trial on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Since the order went into effect on April 1, Trump has been accused of undermining it at least 10 times, and the Manhattan District Attorney's office is seeking the maximum $1,000 fine from the defendant for each of his 10 posts, reported NBC News.

They also want Judge Juan Merchan to order Trump to remove the posts from his social media platform, as well as warn him that any future violations may land him in jail for up to 30 days, along with additional fines.

Debate over the gag order

The hearing on the gag order took place before the jury reconvened in the courtroom, with the prosecution arguing that Trump should be held in criminal contempt over a series of Truth Social posts that appeared to be in violation.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 19: Former U.S. President Donald Trump (R) sits with his attorney Todd Blanche (L) during his criminal trial as jury selection continues at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 19, 2024 in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges. (Photo by Mark Peterson - Pool/Getty Images)
Donald Trump (R) sits with his attorney Todd Blanche (L) during his criminal trial as jury selection continues at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 19, 2024 in New York City (Mark Peterson - Pool/Getty Images)

"His disobedience of the order is willful, it’s intentional. He knows what he’s not allowed to do and he does it anyway," said prosecutor Chris Conroy.

Todd Blanche, Trump's attorney, argued that “there was absolutely no willful violation” of the order, and the posts were simply in response to a “barrage of political attacks.” However, when Judge Merchan asked about the specifics of the attacks, Blanche struggled to answer.

“I keep asking you over and over to give me an example and I’m not getting an answer,” said the judge, noting that the defense lawyer was "losing all credibility" with his argument, according to NBC. He reserved a decision on the issue until a later time.

Internet reacts on the subject of $1,000 fine

Netizens slammed the former president for non-compliance with the gag order, as the following tweets demonstrate.

"He should have kept his mouth shut. It is called consequences," wrote a social media user.



 

"When you defy an order, that’s what happens," echoed another.



 

"$1000 per disregard is not enough. Period," stated a third.



 

"Does he even have a thousand dollars?" asked a fourth.



 

"Maybe he should comply 🤷‍ We have rules and laws for a reason. Don't do the crime if ya can't do the time...," commented a fifth user.



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

MORE STORIES

Gavin Newsom rejected the bipartisan bill, calling it too costly and warning it could disrupt how California determines firefighter pay
4 hours ago
The vote comes as California’s education agencies face a US Department of Justice lawsuit over alleged Title IX violations in girls’ sports
4 hours ago
Donald Trump took aim at Sen Richard Blumenthal after his tense face-off with Attorney General Pam Bondi during a congressional hearing
6 hours ago
Dick Durbin pressed Pam Bondi to justify sending troops to Illinois, accusing the Justice Department of hiding key information from the public
10 hours ago
The comedian dubbed Chuck Schumer 'Hack-ie Mason', and then went on a rant against Democratic leadership in general
1 day ago
Trump promised America’s men and women in uniform that their pay is safe despite the government shutdown
2 days ago
The stipend is part of measures taken by the Trump administration to reduce illegal immigrants in US
4 days ago
The directive followed Donald Trump’s August 2025 executive order instructing law enforcement and military to immediately arrest flag burners
4 days ago
Sen Roger Marshall introduced the Passport Sanity Act to end gender-neutral passports citing security and Trump-era precedent
6 days ago
JB Pritzker went after Trump after he suggested alleged crime-ridden cities like Chicago could serve as a training ground for National Guard troops
7 days ago