Trump takes 'victory lap' on gag order stay — but it’s not a 'win': legal analyst

Ex-President Donald Trump believed he prevailed against a "wicked attack" Thursday when a New York appellate court paused two gag orders imposed by Judge Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over his ongoing civil fraud trial.

Legal analyst Lisa Rubin, who's been inside of the courtroom throughout the trial, reports via X (formerly Twitter), "NEW: Over on Truth Social, Trump's taking a victory lap after securing an interim stay of the gag orders in the NY case. A stay, and especially an interim stay pending a hearing/appeal, is a pause that goes back to the state of affairs before the order being appealed."

On Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Judge Arthur Engoron has just been overturned (stayed!) by the New York State Appellate Division (Appeals Court), for the 4th TIME (on the same case!). His Ridiculous and Unconstitutional Gag Order, not allowing me to defend myself against him and his politically biased and out of control, Trump Hating Clerk, who is sinking him and his Court to new levels of LOW, is a disgrace. They are defending the Worst and Least Respected Attorney General in the United States, Letitia James, who is a Worldwide disgrace, as is her illegal Witch Hunt against me. The Radical and Unprecedented actions of Judge Engoron will keep BUSINESSES and JOBS forever out of New York State. I have done NOTHING WRONG, my numbers were low, not high, I have a COMPLETE DISCLAIMER CLAUSE, their Star Witness admitted he lied and made up this Fake case against me, and the the Attorney General used a “Get Trump” platform in order to run for A.G. & Governor (she failed!). This wicked attack on Democracy must be ended, NOW!"

POLL: Should Trump be allowed to hold office again?

Unfortunately for the former president, Rubin also noted, the gag order "is not, however," a win on the merits. Trump might not realize that—but his legal team does."

This comes after the NBC analyst tweeted earlier Thursday that the former president "sued Engoron directly, challenging his authority and jurisdiction over the contempt findings against Trump's lawyers and the two gag orders in the New York AG's civil fraud trial (one against Trump, the other against his lawyers):"

NBC News reports, "The pause will remain in place until at least Nov. 27, when a full panel of appeals court judges will consider the matter."

READ MORE: Trump sues judge as another temporarily lifts Engoron’s gag order