Trump attacks judge on Truth Social moments after gag order hearing where lawyers defended his posts

Donald Trump launched a fresh attack on the judge in his New York hush money trial on Truth Social on Tuesday morning – just moments after his attorneys were forced to defend his posts in a hearing determining whether he had violated the gag order in the case.

Before testimony resumed in the historic case, Judge Juan Merchan heard arguments from the prosecution and the defence about the former president’s Truth Social posts.

Prosecutors have accused Mr Trump of violating his gag order at least 10 times in online attacks against potential witnesses Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels.

On the very first day of the historic criminal trial, Mr Trump’s Truth Social account posted – seemingly when he was inside the courtroom – about Cohen and Ms Daniels, calling them “two sleaze bags who have, with their lies and misrepresentations, cost our Country dearly!”

On Tuesday, Judge Juan Merchan told the two sides that he would make a decision on the matter at a later date.

Despite the looming threat of a potential $10,000 fine – or even the threat of jail – Mr Trump couldn’t help himself as he left the courtroom.

At 10.57am ET, moments after the hearing ended, his Truth Social account fired off a new post railing against the judge and his “kangaroo court”.

“Every single Legal Scholar and Expert said that Soros backed prosecutor, Alvin Bragg, has ‘no case,’” he posted.

Mr Trump continued: “SO WHY WON’T THEY DROP THIS CASE? Alvin Bragg never wanted to bring it — thought it was a joke. Was furious at lawyer MARK POMERANTZ (will he be prosecuted?) for what he did!”

Three minutes later, the former president blasted in his signature all-caps style: “HIGHLY CONFLICTED, TO PUT IT MILDLY, JUDGE JUAN MERCHAN, HAS TAKEN AWAY MY CONSTITUTIONAL