Live pictures are being shown outside of Trump Tower where Donald Trump is set to hold a press conference this morning following his conviction on 34 criminal charges. Americans have shown a sudden surge in interest in the verdict, as evidenced by a 3200% increase in Google searches for Donald Trump post-conviction compared to before the verdict.
While interest in the verdict has peaked, it remains uncertain how this will impact Trump's political future. Prior polls indicate that a small percentage of Trump supporters would be less likely to vote for him if he were convicted, but historically, events like indictments have not significantly affected his support base.
On the other hand, a hypothetical scenario presented in a recent poll by Marquette University Law School shows Joe Biden leading Trump by five points post-conviction, compared to Trump being ahead by three points pre-conviction. This suggests a potential shift in voter sentiment, although the actual impact remains to be seen.
The conversation now revolves around how the Biden campaign will address Trump's conviction and whether they will use terms like 'criminal' in their messaging. The messaging surrounding the verdict could play a crucial role in shaping public perception and potentially influencing voter behavior.
As time progresses, more data will emerge to provide a clearer picture of the aftermath of Trump's conviction and its implications on his political career. The numbers indicate a divided sentiment among Americans, with some suggesting that the conviction may not harm Trump while others hint at a possible negative impact on his electoral prospects.