Hush money trial judge tees up ruling on whether Trump violated gag order, should pay thousands

Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives ahead of the start of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 15, 2024 in New York City.

The judge presiding over former President Trump's hush money trial in New York City announced he will hear arguments this month on whether Trump violated a gag order amid the case and should pay $1,000 fines for each violation. 

Judge Juan Merchan said he will hear arguments on April 23 at 9:30 a.m. regarding whether Trump violated a gag order that prevents him from making public statements about witnesses and their anticipated testimony in the trial. 

The district attorney's office argued Monday that Trump has violated the order three times in social media posts and should pay $1,000 for each violation of the gag order. The prosecutors said Trump should remove the posts and requested that he be held in contempt. 

The defense team has until April 19 to file a written response to the prosecutors' claims Trump violated the gag order.