Nearly two-thirds of voters believe that former President Trump will be found guilty on some charges in his ongoing criminal trial. A recent Suffolk University/USA Today national poll of registered voters revealed that 65% of respondents anticipate a conviction for Trump on some of the nearly three-dozen state felony charges he is facing in his trial in New York City, marking a historic moment as the first trial of its kind for a former or current president.
The charges against Trump stem from allegations of falsifying business records related to payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election to keep quiet about an alleged affair. Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, reportedly paid Daniels $130,000 in exchange for her silence regarding the alleged encounter with Trump in 2006. Despite the accusations, Trump has consistently denied falsifying business records and the alleged affair with Daniels.
The poll results, released as Daniels testified in the trial for the first time, indicate that half of the respondents believe Trump will be found guilty on some, but not all, counts. Fifteen percent predict a conviction on all counts, while 23% anticipate a not guilty verdict on all charges.
David Paleologos, the director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, highlighted that the poll outcomes could shape public expectations surrounding the trial's conclusion, cautioning that these perceptions may differ from the jury's assessment.
Regarding the fairness of the trial, the poll revealed a divide among respondents. Forty-four percent expressed skepticism about the trial's fairness, with 39% believing Trump is receiving a fair trial. Party affiliation influenced perceptions, with 76% of Democrats viewing the trial as fair compared to 80% of Republicans who deemed it unfair. Independents were evenly split on the issue, with 24% undecided.
Trump has consistently criticized the trial's fairness, prosecutors, the judge, and witnesses through various public platforms. New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan has reprimanded Trump multiple times for violating a gag order that prohibits him from commenting on the case, warning of potential jail time for continued violations.
Trump and his defense team have argued that the gag order infringes on his First Amendment rights and those of his supporters, contesting its validity. The trial continues to unfold amidst heightened public interest and divergent opinions on its proceedings.
