In Washington, DC, two weeks have passed since Donald Trump became the first former US president to be convicted of criminal charges. However, polls indicate that the reaction to this historic verdict has been surprisingly muted. Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records in order to conceal a hush-money payment to a porn star. Despite the gravity of the situation, the response from the public has been more of a ripple than a tidal wave.
Experts attribute this subdued reaction to the unique political climate in the US. With Trump seeking re-election in a tight race against President Joe Biden, his strong support among Republicans has helped downplay the significance of the conviction. Allan Lichtman, a history professor at American University, believes that the normalization of such a remarkable event by the Republican Party and the media has contributed to the lack of outrage.
The media’s framing of the trial as a “hush-money” case, rather than a “fraud perpetrated on the American people,” has also influenced public perception. Trump’s efforts to portray himself as a victim of a political witch-hunt have further shaped the narrative surrounding the verdict. His campaign’s fundraising success following the conviction suggests that his strategy of energizing his supporters is working.
Despite the conviction, polls show that many Republicans and independent voters remain largely unaffected in their support for Trump. However, with Trump facing additional legal challenges and a sentencing hearing looming, the impact of the conviction on the upcoming election remains uncertain. The public’s attention span, the outcome of Trump’s sentencing, and potential fluctuations in the polls could all play a significant role in determining the ultimate impact of this historic verdict on the election.