Trump Fined For Violating Gag Order: 'Don't Do It Again Or It'll Be Worse'

Judge Arthur Engoron ordered former President Donald Trump to take the stand to answer questions about comments he made to reporters on Wednesday (October 25).

Earlier in the day, Trump told reporters that Engoron is "a very partisan judge with a person who's very partisan sitting alongside him, perhaps even much more partisan than he is."

Engoron believed that Trump was referring to his law clerk, whom Trump previously falsely claimed was in a relationship with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a post on social media. That post was the impetus for the gag order, which barred Trump from making disparaging comments about Engoron's staff.

When Trump was called to the stand, he told Engoron he was referring to Michael Cohen, who was testifying against him.

Engoron did not believe Trump and fined him $10,000.

"The idea that that statement would refer to the witness, that doesn't make sense to me," Engoron said.

Trump's lawyers urged Judge Engoron to reconsider the fine, but he refused and warned Trump not to violate the gag order again.

"I've reconsidered, the ruling stands. Don't do it again, or it'll be worse," Engoron said.

This is the second time that Trump has been fined for violating the gag order. Engoron previously fined Trump $5,000 after learning that a disparaging post about his law clerk remained online after his order to remove it.