Trump’s supporters say his lawsuit is a ‘roadblock’ to his 2024 victory
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As jury selection begins in Donald Trump’s criminal case related to the hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, the former president’s most ardent supporters have already made up their minds before a single piece of evidence has been presented. Trump is the first former president in US history to ever face criminal charges.
He is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up the $130,000 payment to Daniels. Trump has called the trial an “attack on America” and “political persecution,” and his supporters are echoing what he says.
“It’s a witch hunt, total witch hunt,” said Stacey Hawthorne, 57, who waited in line for hours to see Trump speak Saturday at a rally in Schnecksville, PA, his last political event before the trial began. “I think it’s very crazy that Democrats can get away with what they get away with and they just come after him,” said her friend Stephanie Colofa, 50.
Trump has baselessly accused President Biden of being behind the lawsuit. It was a common talk among his followers. Prosecutors allege the former president falsified business records to cover up the return of the Stormy Daniels payment prior to the 2016 election to keep her quiet about a sexual encounter that happened in 2006.
Trump supporters were more focused on the hush money payment itself rather than falsifying business information, and it didn’t bother them. “I’m sure there’s not one politician alive who hasn’t paid someone hush money to shut them up about something they didn’t want,” Matthew Onuschak, 44, said.
“Whether or not Donald Trump has paid hush money to someone doesn’t bother me. I like his politics,” he added. “I don’t mind it at all. It’s a long time ago,” said Janice Monroe, 69, of Germansville, PA.
If convicted, the maximum prison sentence for each charge is four years, but typically defendants are sentenced to much less. The hush money trial is the first of four criminal cases facing the former president that could go to trial this year. But Trump supporters aren’t worried about their candidate being convicted criminally or facing jail time.
“I think it’s just a roadblock and they’re frivolous cases and I think it just burdens his base more,” said Michael Mann, 61. “I don’t feel he’s going to be convicted.” “I think ultimately, after all the appeals, after everything, President Trump will be found not guilty,” Courtney Bracken, 46, said.
Although Trump’s most loyal supporters are not worried about their candidate going behind bars, the majority of registered voters see the charges as serious. The New York Times/Siena poll found that 58 percent believe the allegations of falsifying business records related to the payment of hush money are very or somewhat serious. The court of public opinion divides along party lines. Sixty-six percent of Republicans said the charges are not too serious or not serious at all.
Registered voters are also already split on whether they believe Trump is guilty in the case. 46 percent said he should be found guilty prior to trial, while 36 percent said he should not. Only 18 percent said they don’t know. Eighty-one percent of Democrats and 40 percent of independents said he should be found guilty. 71 percent of Republicans and 35 percent of independents said he shouldn’t.
