More than 6-in-10 Americans find key facts about the trial of Trump in New York City concerning and most say that the purpose of the indictments against Trump is to prevent him from becoming president again.
WHY IT MATTERS
The jury will begin to deliberate in the case this week.
HOW TO USE THIS DATA
The results show what arguments and statements about the trial are most convincing to the American people.
Click on the image below to read the full report… or read the summary below.
“Corrupt” vs “Unfair”
- 64% of Americans say the justice system is corrupt, rather than honest, including 72% of Republicans, 57% of Democrats, 63% of independents, and a majority of all age, gender, and racial demographic groups.
- In contrast, Americans are divided on the fairness of the justice system, with 51% saying unfair and 45% saying fair. Younger voters, blacks, and Hispanics are more likely than others to say the justice system is unfair.
- The difference in results shows that “corrupt” is much stronger language to use when describing the system that indicted former President Trump.
Political Indictments
- 54% of Americans say the indictments of Trump are being done to prevent him from becoming president again, including 88% of Republicans, 25% of Democrats, and 53% of swing voters.
- 70% New Majority voters say the indictments of Trump are being done to prevent him from becoming president again, including 48% of those undecided and 34% of those planning to vote for a Democrat for Congress.
- In contrast, just 18% of Left Minority voters say the indictments are being done to prevent Trump from becoming president again.
Following, but not Closely
- 61% of Americans say they are following news of the trial of Trump in New York City, but only 21% say they are following it “very closely.”
- Republicans and Democrats are more likely than swing voters and independents to be following the news very closely. Men and baby boomers are also more likely to be following the news very closely than women and younger voters, respectively.
Modest Potential Impact of Conviction
- 51% of Americans say if Trump is found guilty in the trial, it will make no difference in their vote in November. 25% say more likely and 25% say less likely.
- Among swing voters, 19% say more likely to vote for Trump and 27% say less likely.
- New Majority voters who are planning to vote for a Democrat for Congress are most likely to say their vote will be impacted, with 48% saying it makes them less likely to vote for Trump in November if he is convicted.
Conflicts of Interest and Partisanship
- The most concerning facts about the case involve conflicts of interest and the partisan leanings of the judge and prosecutor in the case.
- 67% say the judge’s conflict of interest regarding his daughter’s use of the trial to fundraise for the Democrats is concerning, including 69% of voters undecided for president in 2024.
- 66% say the novel nature of charging Trump with a felony for what is usually a misdemeanor is concerning, including 67% of voters undecided for president in 2024.
- 61% say the prosecution and judge’s refusal to let Trump’s lawyers know who was testifying against him is concerning, including 57% of voters undecided for president in 2024.
- 60% say the prosecutor’s background as a consultant for the Democratic National Committee and top prosecutor for the Biden Justice Department is concerning, including 62% of those undecided for president.