Polling conducted in the 48 hours following former President Donald Trump’s guilty verdict in his Manhattan criminal trial showed varying levels of support for the verdict and its impact on Trump’s political future. A YouGov snap poll revealed that 50 percent of U.S. adults believed Trump was guilty, while a Morning Consult poll found that 54 percent of registered voters approved of the jury’s verdict. Across party lines, there were differing opinions, with a majority of Democrats believing in Trump’s guilt, compared to a majority of Republicans who did not. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that while some voters were swayed by the verdict, the majority remained unchanged in their views of Trump.
The polls also gauged support for Trump’s potential continuation of his presidential campaign. In the Morning Consult poll, 51 percent of registered voters believed he should end his campaign, while 43 percent disagreed. The majority of Republicans surveyed did not want Trump to drop out, while a minority of Trump supporters felt he should exit the race. A significant portion of Republicans and independents expressed that the guilty verdict affected their likelihood of voting for Trump, with a small percentage being deterred by the ruling, while others were more likely to support him as a result.
Despite the guilty verdict and its potential implications on Trump’s political future, his campaign communications director, Steven Cheung, reported an “outpouring of support” for the former president. Cheung mentioned an increase in polling numbers and record-breaking fundraising, with close to $53 million raised in just 24 hours, including new donors. Additionally, a snap Daily Mail/J.L. Partners poll showed an increase in Trump’s approval rating following the guilty verdict, indicating that Trump’s base of likely voters had a more positive view of him after the trial.
Overall, the polling data presented a mixed picture of public sentiment towards Trump in the aftermath of his guilty verdict. While some voters reaffirmed their support for Trump despite the legal challenges he faces, others expressed reservations and concerns about his continued involvement in politics. The varying reactions across party lines highlight the deeply divided nature of American politics and the complex dynamics surrounding an influential figure like Donald Trump. As Trump and his team continue to navigate the fallout from the criminal trial, the polls offer valuable insights into the evolving landscape of public opinion in the post-presidential era.
