According to a recent poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, only about one-third of U.S. adults believe that former President Donald Trump committed a crime in the hush money case for which jury selection began. However, close to half of Americans think he did something illegal in the other three criminal cases pending against him. There is skepticism about whether Trump is getting a fair trial from prosecutors, judges, and jurors in these cases. Despite this, half of Americans would consider Trump unfit to serve as president if he is convicted of falsifying business documents to cover up hush money payments to a woman he allegedly had an affair with.
The poll suggests that a conviction in the hush money case could hurt Trump politically as he enters a rematch with President Joe Biden and prepares to accept the GOP nomination at the Republican National Convention. Trump has made the prosecutions against him a focal point of his campaign and has argued that they are politically motivated, although there is no evidence to support this claim. The outcome of the trial could influence how Americans perceive Trump’s candidacy, especially among independent voters and those who have been skeptical of him in the past.
Despite different opinions about Trump’s guilt, the poll found that there is a cloud of doubt hanging over the proceedings. Only about 3 in 10 Americans feel that the prosecutors are treating Trump fairly, and even fewer believe that the judges and jurors can be impartial. Some Americans, like Christopher Ruff from North Carolina, believe that the cases against Trump are politically motivated and constitute persecution, even though they may not necessarily support Trump as a candidate.
The poll also revealed that opinions on Trump’s legal troubles vary along party lines, with Republicans less likely to believe he committed a crime in the hush money case compared to Democrats and independents. Regardless of party affiliation, many Americans believe that a criminal conviction would disqualify Trump from serving as president. However, there are differences in opinion on this matter, with Democrats and independents more likely to consider him unfit for the role in the event of a conviction.
Overall, the poll highlights the divisive nature of Trump’s legal troubles and the potential impact on his political future. As the trial progresses, public opinion may play a significant role in shaping the outcome for Trump, both in terms of the legal proceedings and his candidacy for the presidency. The results of the poll suggest that while there is uncertainty and skepticism surrounding Trump’s trials, a conviction could have significant repercussions for his political aspirations.
