A recent Suffolk University/USA Today national poll of registered voters found that 65% believe that former President Trump will be found guilty on some of the nearly three dozen state felony charges he faces in his trial in New York City. The charges relate to alleged hush-money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. Trump has denied falsifying business records and the alleged affair with Daniels. This poll was released as Daniels took the witness stand for the first time in the trial.
Half of those surveyed in the poll believe Trump will be found guilty on some, but not all, counts, while 15% think he will be convicted on all counts, and 23% say he will be found not guilty on all charges. However, 44% of respondents do not believe the trial has been fair, with 39% saying Trump is getting a fair trial. The perception of fairness among voters is divided along party lines, with Democrats more likely to see the trial as fair compared to Republicans. Judge Juan Merchan has found Trump in contempt multiple times for violating a gag order in the case, preventing him from speaking out against jurors and witnesses.
Trump has continuously criticized the trial, prosecutors, the judge, and witnesses, claiming that it is unfair. He and his defense attorneys argue that the gag order violates his First Amendment rights, as well as the rights of his supporters. The trial has affected Trump’s campaign activities as he faces off against President Biden in a potential 2024 election rematch. The poll surveyed 1,000 registered voters nationwide, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
Despite Trump’s denials and legal challenges, the trial has proceeded in New York City, with Daniels testifying about the hush-money payments she received in relation to her alleged affair with Trump. The poll results suggest that expectations are high for a guilty verdict on at least some charges. However, the perception of fairness in the trial varies among voters, with partisanship playing a significant role in shaping opinions. The ongoing legal battle has also raised questions about free speech rights and the limits of judicial oversight in high-profile cases involving public figures.
As the trial continues and the verdict draws closer, the nation remains divided over the outcome and the fairness of the legal proceedings. Trump’s repeated violations of the gag order have drawn the ire of the judge, who has threatened to jail the former president if the infractions persist. The trial’s impact on Trump’s political future and the broader implications for the criminal justice system in handling cases involving prominent individuals are likely to be key topics of debate in the coming months.
