Donald J. Trump’s criminal trial has started, marking a significant moment in the 2024 presidential race and bringing him back into the public eye as he faces potential jail time for 34 felony counts related to a hush-money payment. The trial is expected to last around 8 weeks, potentially taking up one-quarter of the time leading up to the November election. Mr. Trump has expressed a desire for extensive media coverage, aiming to shift the focus of the campaign from battleground states to the Manhattan courtroom.
Jury selection for the trial is set to begin amidst speculation about how the news media will handle the fast-paced developments around Mr. Trump. The trial could be a test for networks as they decide whether to carry live coverage of any news conferences he holds to narrate the day’s events. While President Biden and his campaign have remained largely silent on the trial, they are hoping it will reinforce their argument that Mr. Trump is running to protect himself, including staying out of prison. The focus on Mr. Trump during the trial could benefit the Biden team, helping remind voters of the reasons many were disenchanted with his presidency.
The trial is significant, with 58% of voters viewing the charges as serious, though nearly one in five voters remain undecided about the outcome. The trial’s prominence as the first and possibly only one before the election has raised concerns among critics that it could overshadow more fundamental charges against Mr. Trump. The case itself involves allegations of a hush-money payment made to a porn star and may feature testimonies from individuals close to Mr. Trump, including Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen, his former fixer.
Conservative activists and Trump supporters are planning daily protests in New York during the trial, with organizations like the New York Young Republican Club staging pro-Trump rallies near the courthouse. Pro-Trump messages will be disseminated through media appearances and online platforms to counter the negative narrative surrounding the trial. Despite facing a gag order, Mr. Trump has continued to openly criticize the judge overseeing the case, potentially setting the stage for further conflict and controversy as the trial progresses.
While Mr. Trump has leveraged his legal troubles for fundraising in the past, it remains to be seen how claims of victimhood will play out in the general election. Polling suggests that some swing voters may be swayed against voting for him if he is convicted. President Biden, on the other hand, is maintaining a focus on battleground states, utilizing the contrast between his campaign activities and Mr. Trump’s courtroom appearances to highlight the differences between their approaches. The trial will likely have far-reaching implications for the 2024 presidential race, shaping public opinion and potentially influencing voter perceptions of both candidates.
