Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office say former President Trump has violated a gag order 10 times since it was imposed on April 1.
The order prohibits him from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and the judge’s family in his bribery case, in which he is accused of bribing a porn star before the 2016 election to keep the public from learning about an alleged affair, and then note the payment as a legal expense.
During a hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors asked the court to order Trump to take down 10 posts — eight from his social media account and two from his campaign website — claiming they violated the gag order. Several of these posts include attacks on Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and mediator, and Stormy Daniels, whom Cohen allegedly paid on Trump’s behalf to remain silent about an alleged affair.
Although the hearing on the gag order concluded Tuesday morning, Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over the case in Manhattan, has yet to issue a ruling.
These are the 10 posts in question.
Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels media appearances
“Thank you to Michael Avenatti – for revealing the truth about two despicable people who, with their lies and misrepresentations, cost our country dearly,” Trump posted on April 10, in response to a post by imprisoned lawyer Michael Avenatti.
Avenatti’s post on X on April 2 said, “We can’t be hypocrites when it comes to the 1st Amendment. It is outrageous that Cohen and Daniels can give countless TV interviews, post on social media and make money from fake documentaries – all by talking shit about Trump – but he is gagged and threatened with arrest if he responds.”
Daniels’ 2018 statement denying relationship with Trump
“LOOK WHAT I JUST FOUND,” the former president posted on the morning of April 10, above a photo of a 2018 statement from Daniels denying her relationship with Trump. “WILL FAKE NEWS REPORT?”
‘Disgraced lawyer and criminal’ Michael Cohen
“Was Mark POMERANTZ prosecuted for his terrible acts in and out of the DA’s office?” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on April 13, referring to one of the top Manhattan prosecutors who investigated the former president and resigned in February 2023.
“Disgraced lawyer and criminal Michael Cohen has been prosecuted for LYING,” Trump continued. “Only TRUMP people are prosecuted by this judge and these thugs! A dark day for our country. MAGA 2024!!!”
Jonathan Turley’s ‘serial perjury’ article for The New York Post
“A serial perjury will attempt to prove an old misdemeanor against Trump, which will be an embarrassment to the New York legal system,” Trump quoted in an April 15 post, attaching a link to the article by jurist Jonathan Turley with the same title for The New York Post Office.
The Hill has previously published op-eds written by Turley.
Repost on Truth Social: Turley’s ‘serial perjury’ article
Trump republished the same link and quote from Turley’s article just over an hour after he first posted it on April 15.
“Making this deal even more repulsive will be the appearance of Cohen himself on the stand,” Turley wrote.
“Cohen was recently denounced by a judge as a serial perjurer who continues to manipulate the system.”
Repost on Trump campaign website: Turley’s ‘serial perjury’ article
The former president also linked to Turley’s article on his 2024 campaign website.
The page title read“ICYMI: ‘Serial perjury man will try to prove old misdemeanor against Trump in an embarrassment to New York legal system'”.
Second Truth social repost: Turley’s ‘serial perjury’ article
Trump simply linked the URL to Turley’s New York Post article the day after his initial post on Truth Social.
National Review article on Cohen’s guilty plea
The former president shared a full screenshot article in the National Magazine by Andrew McCarthy, titled “No, Cohen’s Guilty Plea Doesn’t Prove Trump Committed Campaign Finance Crimes,” in an April 16 Truth Social post.
Second post on Trump campaign website: Turley’s ‘serial perjury’ article
Trump’s campaign website linked to the article again a day after it was first shared on the site.
“A serial perjury man will attempt to prove an old misdemeanor against Trump in an embarrassment to the New York legal system.”
“Read Jonathan Turley’s full article for the NY Post here,” the page said.
Jesse Watters quotes criticizing potential jurors
“They’re catching undercover liberal activists lying to the judge to get on Trump’s jury,” Trump shared on Truth Social on April 17, quoting Fox News anchor Jesse Watters.
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