Five crucial questions surrounding Trump's first criminal trial and its impact on the November election
A glimpse into Donald Trump's first criminal trial and its potential impact on his presidential campaign
In a historic moment, former President Donald Trump enters uncharted territory as he faces trial—a first for any sitting or past president. Accused of 34 state felony charges linked to hush-money payments allegedly made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election, Trump vehemently denies wrongdoing. Despite efforts to delay proceedings, the trial is underway, setting the stage for a legal showdown. It marks just the beginning of a series of legal battles for Trump, with implications for his 2024 rematch against President Biden. Following are five key questions on how this trial could shape the upcoming presidential campaign:
1. How long will the trial last and will Donald Trump be required to attend daily?
The trial is anticipated to span approximately six to eight weeks, commencing with jury selection on Monday. Scheduled proceedings will occur on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with Wednesdays designated as a rest day. Judge Juan Merchan hinted at a potential adjournment to accommodate the Jewish holiday of Passover starting on April 22. Per New York law, Trump must be physically present throughout the trial. However, Judge Merchan might grant him the flexibility to attend legal proceedings in other cases concurrently with the hush-money trial.
2. Is the trial going to be televised?
Despite significant media interest, cameras will not be permitted inside the courtroom due to New York State's stringent regulations prohibiting live audio or visual broadcasts of trials. However, still photography may be permitted, as evidenced by previous arrangements during Trump's arraignment last year. Judge Merchan also allowed TV cameras in the hallways of the courthouse at the time.
3. How much media coverage is expected?
Anticipate extensive coverage, as Donald Trump has a track record of seizing media attention with his courtroom appearances and impromptu press engagements. His ability to monopolize the news cycle has been likened to a phenomenon, attracting substantial coverage across cable news and online platforms. "Trump can dominate the message environment anytime he wants," Republican strategist Dave Carney told Fox News. "We've never seen anything like this where one guy – whatever he says – gets full coverage. It's a phenomenon. Whether it's social media or cable TV or even broadcast TV, he just dominates the news." Trump's legal entanglements have historically served as rallying points for his supporters and fundraising efforts. Notably, a mug shot of Trump taken in a separate case where he's charged with conspiring to overturn election results in Georgia became iconic among his MAGA base.
4. When will Donald Trump continue campaigning?
Despite labeling the trial as "election interference," sources within Trump's campaign told Fox News that plans are underway to optimize campaign activities on days when the court is not in session, such as Wednesdays and weekends. "I don’t know how you can have a trial that’s going on right in the middle of an election. Not fair. Not fair. It’s not fair at all," Trump told the press in New York City recently. However, Trump's team remains confident, with campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita recently predicting that "we have the message, the operation, and the money to propel President Trump to victory on November 5."
5. How will the Biden campaign respond?
The Biden administration and its campaign have mostly refrained from direct commentary on Trump's legal proceedings to avoid providing ammunition for his claims of political bias. Instead, they maintain focus on engaging with voters and highlighting policy initiatives. "We’ll let Donald Trump focus on his own problems — our campaign is focused on the American people and earning their vote this November," Biden campaign rapid response director Ammar Moussa stated recently. However, as the trial progresses, Biden's allies may intensify critiques, potentially leveraging campaign events in battleground states like Pennsylvania to counter Trump's courtroom activities.
