'No joke': Trump reportedly got 'stern warning' from hush money judge about going to jail

Donald Trump was "firmly scolded" by the judge in his criminal hush money case, and he was also warned that he might go to prison if he doesn't show up at the next hearing date, according to an investigative journalist.

Carol D. Leonnig, an investigative journalist and MSNBC contributor, appeared on the network on Saturday to discuss Trump's legal problems.

The host asked Leonnig about a moment in which Trump was told to sit down by the judge.

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"How does a moment like that affect trump's psyche?" the host asked. "The judge is the authority in the courtroom, not a criminal defendant, even if that defendant is a former president."

Leonnig said the question "illustrates the larger frustration for Donald Trump in his first week in the case."

"He is not in the driver's seat. He has to sit in his chair and not allowed to leave except for when the judge dismisses people. He is also not able to speak. That is one of his greatest frustrations because he is the master of the megaphone," she said on Saturday.

She pointed out that, "when he was muttering on day two of jury selection, the judge scolded him rather firmly."

"And then said there will be none of that. All Trump wants to communicate in this trial one way or another. He wants his voice heard. That is not possible," she added. "The judge also said to Donald Trump in a stern warning, Tuesday, he better be in court or he could be imprisoned and arrested for contempt of court. This is no joke. When you are on trial, you are on trial and the boss is the judge."

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