The Democratic National Committee is intensifying its criticism of former President Donald Trump, unveiling a new political advertisement that refers to Trump as a “convicted felon” following his guilty verdict in a Manhattan trial. The DNC plans to display a billboard near Trump’s campaign event in Phoenix, Arizona, accusing him of attacking Arizona’s democracy and branding him as unfit to serve. This marks the first time the DNC is using the term “convicted felon” in paid advertising since the trial. The move comes as President Biden, who previously steered clear of commenting on the trial, is taking a more assertive stance against Trump post-verdict.
In response to Trump’s conviction, the DNC is highlighting Trump’s potential as a “dictator” on day one if re-elected in the future. Abhi Rahman, the deputy communications director for the DNC, expressed concerns about Trump pursuing an agenda of revenge and retribution, as evidenced by his prior remarks. President Biden, who criticized Trump’s electoral ambitions during a fundraiser in Connecticut, emphasized the historical significance of having a former president running for office while being a convicted felon. The DNC’s decision to focus on Trump’s criminal status is seen as an effort to undermine his political aspirations and tarnish his public image.
Despite the guilty verdict in the Manhattan trial, Trump’s allies, including Republican lawmakers like Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, claim that the trial was politically motivated. Vance dismissed the trial as a smear campaign to discredit Trump and emphasized that the focus was on labeling him as a “convicted felon.” The Biden campaign hopes that Trump’s conviction will weaken his lead in the polls, but a recent CBS News poll suggests that public opinion remains largely unchanged following the verdict. The poll indicates that opinions on the trial outcome are consistent with pre-verdict perceptions of Trump’s guilt or innocence, indicating a lack of significant impact on public perception.
The new advertisement and the DNC’s aggressive stance against Trump reflect a shift in strategy towards combating his political influence and challenging his reputation following the criminal conviction. Trump’s upcoming campaign event in Phoenix, Arizona, provides a strategic opportunity for the DNC to launch its billboard campaign and convey a message of Trump’s unsuitability for public office. By framing Trump as a “convicted felon” and highlighting concerns about his authoritarian tendencies, the DNC aims to sway public opinion and diminish his appeal as a political figure. The ongoing rivalry between Trump’s supporters and detractors underscores the divisive nature of his controversial presidency and the enduring impact of his legal troubles on his political prospects.
