In a courtroom showdown on Monday, former President Donald Trump faced additional fines and the looming threat of jail time after repeatedly violating a gag order during his hush money trial. Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan issued a stern warning to Trump, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the potential disruption it could cause.

Justice Merchan acknowledged the significance of potentially imprisoning a former and potentially future president, stating that incarceration was a last resort. He stressed the importance of adhering to the gag order, which prohibits Trump from discussing jurors, witnesses, and even family members connected to the court proceedings. The judge highlighted that Trump's comments about the jury in a recent interview with Real America's Voice constituted a violation of the order.

Trump was already hit with a $9,000 penalty last week for breaking the gag order nine times, by making posts on social media regarding expected witnesses and the jury. The fines, which can go up to $1,000 per violation, are no longer acting as a sufficient deterrent. Consequently, Justice Merchan asserted that future violations would result in the consideration of a jail sanction.

The trial revolves around allegations that Trump falsified business records in an effort to conceal a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 election. The payment was allegedly made to prevent Daniels from disclosing details about her alleged affair with Trump in 2007.

Trump continues to assert his innocence, denouncing the case as politically motivated and impeding his ability to campaign effectively for a potential second term. The former president has repeatedly criticized the trial, arguing that it is a ploy to prevent his re-election bid.

As the trial enters its third week of testimony, all eyes are on the courtroom proceedings, with significant implications for Trump's legal and political future. The possibility of fines and even imprisonment now hangs over the former president as he defends himself against the charges that have captured nationwide attention.