A recent poll conducted by The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Siena College revealed that a majority of respondents do not believe that former President Donald Trump will be convicted in his ongoing criminal trial in Manhattan, where he is accused of falsifying business records related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. The poll found that 52 percent of respondents think it is unlikely that Trump will be convicted, with 35 percent saying it is likely. Additionally, 50 percent of respondents do not believe Trump will receive a fair and impartial trial, while 45 percent think he will.
The trial entered its fifth week with testimony from Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who testified that he began working for Trump after being introduced by his son, Donald Trump Jr. Cohen eventually became Trump’s executive vice president and special counsel. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the 34 felony criminal charges against him, claiming that the case should be dismissed and criticizing the judge overseeing the trial, Juan Merchan. He has also called for the trial to be moved out of New York City to a location like Staten Island, where he believes he would receive a fair trial.
During the 2020 election, President Joe Biden defeated Trump in Manhattan and other New York City boroughs by large margins. This political landscape has raised concerns about whether Trump, as a Republican, can receive a fair trial in New York City. The poll results indicate a lack of confidence among respondents regarding the outcome of Trump’s trial and the fairness of the judicial process. Trump’s legal team continues to challenge the charges and the venue of the trial in an effort to secure a favorable outcome for the former president.
Despite the poll results and ongoing legal challenges, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg remains committed to prosecuting Trump for allegedly falsifying business records to conceal criminal activity during the 2016 presidential campaign. This high-profile case has attracted significant attention and scrutiny, with the potential to impact Trump’s political future and reputation. As the trial continues to unfold, it will be closely watched by the public and legal experts alike to see how the proceedings and eventual verdict will shape the narrative surrounding Trump’s alleged criminal conduct.
