Trump Asks Judge To Lift Gag Order From Hush Money Criminal Trial

Donald Trump has asked a judge to lift the gag order imposed on him during his New York criminal trial, which saw him become the first convicted former US president, according to a filing released Tuesday.

Judge Juan Merchan imposed the limited gag order ahead of the trial, restricting Trump from commenting publicly on jurors, witnesses, prosecutors and court staff, later expanding it to include his own family and that of the prosecutor.

Trump was fined $10,000 by the Manhattan court for breaking the order on 10 occasions -- and threatened with jail for openly flouting the judge's ruling.