Donald Trump pays $9K fine for gag order violations, Internet says it's mere 'chump-change' for him

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: In a major turn of events, Donald Trump has reportedly paid the $9,000 worth of fines he received early this week after the presiding judge ruled he violated his gag order multiple times.

The hefty amount was paid through the use of cashier's checks on Thursday, May 2, a source confirmed to Fox News. 

"The defense paid the contempt fine yesterday. They used cashier's checks. They paid one amount of $2000 and one amount of $7000," the source said, per the outlet. 

Donald Trump violated court's gag order 9 times

Judge Juan Merchan fined Trump $9,000 on Tuesday, April 30, for violating a gag order that bans him from speaking publicly about witnesses and family members of court officials. The judge found he violated the order on nine separate occasions, with each violation slapping a $1,000 fine.

The judge detailed in the order that if Trump carries out "continued willful violations" of the gag order, he could face "incarceratory punishment" if "necessary and appropriate."

Donald Trump's defense said the gag order was a violation of First Amendment rights

Trump's attorneys argue the gag order is a violation of the former president’s First Amendment rights.

District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his office alleged Trump violated the order at least more than a dozen times, as of last week. The gag order was imposed on Trump in the lead up to the trial last month.

Donald Trump targets 'Soros-backed' prosecutors 

The former president took aim at "[George] Soros-backed" Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg while giving remarks to reporters after he left court on Friday, May 3. "Lately, this office of DA, which is letting crime, violent crime run rampant all over our city," Trump said. 

"What they've done to people in my company, they've been after us for years. You take a look at what's happened, years, the Democrats, the radical left, they've been after us for years and they've destroyed people's lives," he continued.

"They've gone out, hired lawyers, they've been with lawyers for years, being sucked dry. And it's a shame. It's a shame what they've done to this country and it's a shame what they've done to a lot of great people that have been absolutely ruined and destroyed, not only here, all over," he added.

"These are vicious, vicious, radical left lunatics. The DA here is sort of Soros backed. They shouldn't be wasting time on this," he added. "In the meantime, you can't do anything in the country. The country is going to hell."

Trump also touted this year's upcoming presidential election, where he and incumbent President Biden will likely face off in a political rematch.

"Hopefully November 5th, the most important day in the history of our country, in my opinion, that's called Election Day, hopefully it's going to change because these people are destroying our country," he said.

Internet reacts to Donald Trump paying fine for gag order violations

Internet users gave mixed opinions after the former President paid the fine for his gag order violations. One user tweeted, "9k is chump-change for that pathetic liar!!!" while another asked, "Wonder who loaned his broke ass the money?"

"Scum judge. Disbar him and let the people deal his fate," said one user and another asked, "what is money for him again??"

"$1000 per repost. If he had done it on X, elon would be out 9k", wrote one while another added, "easy for trump... easy!" 

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.