Trump's Appeal Rejected: A Gag Order Stands in Hush Money Case

A New York state appeals court has denied Donald Trump's appeal against a gag order in his criminal case involving hush money paid to Stormy Daniels. The order, initially imposed to prevent threatening statements, was partially lifted but remains in place until Trump's sentencing on September 18.

A New York state appeals court on Thursday rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump's challenge to a gag order in his hush money criminal case. Trump was convicted in May on charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star.

The decision by the Appellate Division in Manhattan means Trump, the Republican presidential nominee for the Nov. 5 election, cannot publicly comment on individual prosecutors and others involved in the case until Justice Juan Merchan sentences him on Sept. 18. Trump's attorneys, who argued the gag order violated his First Amendment rights, did not immediately respond for comment.

Justice Merchan imposed the gag order weeks before the trial began on April 22 to prevent Trump's history of threatening statements from derailing proceedings. Initially, it barred Trump from commenting on prosecutors, court staff, witnesses, and jurors. Although the restrictions on witnesses and jurors were lifted in June post-trial, the order remains for others involved. The appeals court upheld the order in May, emphasizing the need to protect individuals from threats and harassment.

On May 30, jurors found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to cover up $130,000 payments made by his former lawyer Michael Cohen to adult film actress Stormy Daniels for her silence about a purported sexual encounter with Trump before the 2016 election. Trump, who won the presidency in 2016 against Hillary Clinton, denies the allegations and vows to appeal his conviction post-sentencing.

(With inputs from agencies.)