New York Court Upholds Gag Order in Donald Trump's Hush Money Case

A New York state appeals court has denied Donald Trump's challenge to a gag order in his hush money criminal case. The order restricts Trump from commenting on prosecutors and others involved in the case until his sentencing on September 18, just weeks before the November 5 election.

A New York state appeals court on Thursday rejected Donald Trump's challenge to a gag order in his hush money criminal case. The former U.S. president was convicted in May on charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star. The Appellate Division's decision in Manhattan means that Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, cannot publicly comment about individual prosecutors and others in the case until Justice Juan Merchan sentences him on September 18, seven weeks before the November 5 election.

Trump's legal team argued that the gag order violated his First Amendment rights to free speech. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump's campaign, stated that Trump will continue to challenge the gag order. Cheung referred to the order as 'blatantly un-American' in a statement. Meanwhile, a Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated Trump is in a tight race with Vice President Kamala Harris, the anticipated Democratic nominee.

Justice Merchan initially imposed the gag order before the trial began on April 22, citing Trump's history of making potentially disruptive statements. The order initially barred Trump from commenting on prosecutors, court staff, witnesses, and jurors, although restrictions on witnesses and jurors were later lifted. The Appellate Division upheld the gag order to protect individuals from 'threats, intimidation, harassment, and harm' while rejecting Trump's First Amendment argument. Trump, convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records, faces up to four years in prison and possible fines. He plans to appeal the conviction following his sentencing.

(With inputs from agencies.)