The judge in Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial has held the former US president in contempt of court for repeatedly violating a gag order.

The order prohibited Trump from speaking publicly and posting on social media about individuals involved in the trial.

Today, Judge Juan Merchan said Trump had violated the order nine times and fined him $1,000 per violation.

The decision came as Trump’s criminal trial entered its third week – Trump is accused of trying to cover up a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels before he won the 2016 election, which prosecutors say was election interference.

He faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to alleged hush money paid to Daniels.