Part 2/12:
This exchange highlights the judge’s balancing act—getting tough with fines but hesitant to escalate to incarceration, wary of the political fallout. Despite affirming that the gag order remains in place, the judge is now in the process of reassessing the fines owed by Trump, which could total up to $14,000 or more. The underlying message is clear: if the fines fail to deter Trump, the court may threaten jail time as a more serious consequence, a move that carries significant political implications.