Donald Trump’s appearance in court on Tuesday as a criminal defendant has put him back in the spotlight. His journey from Mar-a-Lago, his Florida home, to New York was carried live on several US TV stations. His campaign has been boasting about how much money it has raised (over $8m, they say) and cites opinion polls that suggest his lead over Republican opponents for the presidential nomination has grown. But the big question is whether Mr. Trump can turn a criminal prosecution into an electoral asset.
Mr. Trump’s political opponents within the Republican party have felt compelled to come to his defense. Ron DeSantis, the Florida Governor, said: “The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head.” And he said he would not assist if there was a request to extradite Mr. Trump from Florida to New York. Mr. Trump’s former Vice-President Mike Pence said the indictment sent a “terrible message” to the world about American justice.
While some Trump supporters believe that this court case will help Mr. Trump’s presidential campaign, many independents and swing voters are now tired of the chaos and drama that surrounds him. By turning a prosecution into a political spectacle he risks alienating the very voters he would need to win back the White House in November 2024. It remains to be seen whether Mr. Trump can use a criminal trial to his advantage during the electoral primaries when it is loyal Republicans who are voting, but that same tactic could backfire when it comes to the general election.
Source: BBC
