Prosecutors in the New York hush money case against Donald Trump have asked a judge to fine the former president 3,000 dollars over social media posts about key witnesses.

The request was made on Monday ahead of jury selection, with prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office seeking a 1,000 dollars fine for each of three posts they say violate gag order that bars him from commenting on witnesses.

Last week, Trump used his Truth Social platform to call two important witnesses – his former lawyer Michael Cohen and the adult film actor Stormy Daniels – writing they were “two sleaze bags who have, with their lies and misrepresentations, cost our Country dearly”.