Former US President Donald Trump has been fined $5,000 by a New York judge after a disparaging social media post about a court staffer in his civil fraud case was allowed to remain on his campaign website, despite an order to delete it.

Judge Arthur Engoron avoided holding Trump in contempt, but warned that further violations could result in more severe sanctions, including possible imprisonment. This comes as Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, is set to testify in court next week. The trial revolves around allegations that Trump and his company knowingly falsified property valuations. While imprisonment is not a possible outcome in this civil case, Engoron has ordered the cancellation of Trump's business licenses, potentially impacting his real estate business.