Here’s what Trump had to say…
Former President Trump displayed a confident demeanor on Monday, shrugging off concerns about a potential conviction in an upcoming trial involving alleged hush money payments, even suggesting that such an outcome might bolster his popularity rather than harm his chances in the November election.
In response to questions about whether he was worried about the political repercussions of a potential conviction, Trump remarked, “Well, it could also make me more popular because the people know it’s a scam.” He went on to dismiss the trial as a “Biden trial,” baselessly implicating President Biden in his legal woes.
Despite facing legal challenges, Trump has maintained unwavering support from his base, a factor that secured him the GOP nomination. However, there are indications that a criminal conviction could significantly impact his electoral prospects.
Exit polling conducted during Super Tuesday earlier this month revealed that a notable percentage of primary voters in Virginia and North Carolina believe Trump would not be suitable for the presidency if convicted of a crime. Similar sentiments were echoed in the South Carolina GOP primary in February.
A New York judge has scheduled Trump’s hush money trial to commence on April 15, dismissing attempts by Trump’s legal team to delay proceedings despite the recent disclosure of new documents. This trial marks the first of four criminal cases Trump is facing, including charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Washington, D.C., and Georgia, as well as charges in Florida concerning the mishandling of classified materials.
In the New York case, Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records regarding reimbursements to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who paid adult film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 before the 2016 election to maintain silence about an alleged affair with Trump.
Despite uncertainties surrounding the trial’s timing and the stance of his legal team, Trump expressed willingness to testify, adamantly asserting his innocence: “I would have no problem testifying. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
In response to Trump’s remarks, the Biden campaign characterized him as “weak and desperate,” highlighting challenges such as fundraising difficulties and a perceived disconnect from average voters. Campaign spokesperson James Singer criticized Trump’s leadership, stating, “America deserves better than a feeble, confused, and tired Donald Trump.”
