Former President Donald Trump has been dealt a blow with two polls suggesting that his recent felony conviction could harm his chances of defeating President Joe Biden in the upcoming November election. After being found guilty of 34 felony charges in New York, Trump claimed innocence and expressed confidence that the “real verdict” would be on Election Day. However, polls conducted after the conviction indicated that a significant portion of Republican and independent voters were less likely to support Trump due to his legal troubles.
A poll released by Reuters/Ipsos revealed that 10 percent of Republican voters were less likely to vote for Trump after his conviction, while 35 percent said they were more likely to support him regardless. Among independent voters, 25 percent were less likely to vote for Trump, with 18 percent more likely, while 56 percent stated that the conviction would have no impact on their decision. The poll also showed that Biden had a slight lead over Trump, within the margin of error, indicating a close race between the two candidates.
In response to the polling results, a Trump campaign spokesperson highlighted the former president’s fundraising success and claimed unspecified polling increases following the conviction. However, a YouGov “snap poll” conducted after the verdict found that a majority of Americans agreed with the jury’s decision, with 47 percent believing Trump received a fair trial. Independent voters also showed a higher agreement with Trump’s guilt, though the impact on their voting decisions was uncertain.
Multiple polls conducted before the verdict suggested that Trump’s status as a felon could play a significant role in determining the outcome of the election. American politics experts predicted that the conviction could sway undecided voters in key swing states, potentially leading to a loss of support for Trump as additional legal challenges loomed. With the election likely to be decided by a small number of votes in battleground states, the impact of Trump’s conviction on his chances against Biden remains uncertain.
Overall, the polls indicate that Trump’s felony conviction has raised concerns among Republican and independent voters, potentially affecting his ability to secure victory over President Biden in the November election. With a close race expected between the two candidates, the outcome may hinge on the decisions of undecided voters in crucial swing states, as public opinion on Trump’s legal troubles continues to shape the presidential campaign landscape.
