Judge threatens to hold Donald Trump in contempt after deleted post is found on campaign website

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial judge has threatened to hold the former president in contempt. This raises the possibility of fining or even jailing Trump because a disparaging social media post about a key court staffer remained visible for weeks on his campaign website after the judge had ordered it deleted. Judge Arthur Engoron said Friday (Oct. 20, 2023) the website’s retention of the post was a “blatant violation” of his order requiring Trump to immediately delete the offending message. The limited gag order also barred personal attacks on members of the judge’s staff. The judge didn’t immediately rule on sanctioning Trump. Trump’s lawyer calls the post’s presence online an unintentional oversight.