Former US President Trump may benefit from the recent guilty verdict, despite being convicted of 34 counts of serious crimes. Instead of ending his political career, this setback might actually help him raise funds and garner support for the 2024 presidential election.
On May 31 (Friday), Trump returned to the campaign trail after spending most of the past month and a half sitting in the defendant’s seat at a Manhattan criminal court. Just a day earlier, he was convicted by a jury on 34 counts of “fraudulent business records” in the “hush money case.” Trump is preparing to challenge what he views as an unlawful and politically motivated verdict.
Hours after the Manhattan court pronounced the verdict, Trump’s spokesperson, Jason Miller, stated on Fox News, “He is ready to get out there and start fighting again.”
Choosing May 31 to “start fighting again,” Trump returned to Trump Tower in Manhattan where supporters gathered on Fifth Avenue, waving flags in a show of solidarity. It was from this same building’s brass and rose-colored marble lobby that Trump descended a golden escalator in June 2015 to announce his candidacy for the 2016 presidential election.
During a press conference at Trump Tower on the 31st, Trump defended the hush money case, insisting it was a “confidential agreement” that was completely legal and common.
In a message aimed at rallying his supporters, Trump portrayed himself as a “martyr” facing “political persecution,” suggesting that if this could happen to him, “they can do it to anyone.”
“We will fight,” Trump declared, acknowledging that most others facing a situation like his might have dropped out of the race long ago, but he will continue to fight.
“I am willing to do everything in my power to save our country and constitution. I don’t care, so we will keep fighting,” he added.
In American history, no former president or presumed presidential nominee of a political party has faced a conviction for serious crimes or imprisonment. Trump is expected to make his legal troubles a core focus of his campaign activities. For years, he has criticized the four criminal prosecutions against him as Democratic Party “political persecution” aimed at preventing his return to the White House.
In the lead-up to the verdict, Trump and his campaign team had been preparing for a guilty ruling. On Tuesday (May 28), Trump complained that not even Saint Teresa could overturn the charges, repeatedly denouncing them as “manipulated.”
His senior aides released a memo on Wednesday (May 29), stating that regardless of whether Trump is convicted or acquitted, the court’s decision would not affect the election.
In the hours leading up to the verdict announcement, Trump had been confined to a private courtroom. Throughout the month-long trial, he sat with his lawyers and campaign aides, having meals from McDonald’s, pizza, or sandwiches.
On Thursday (May 30), as the jury deliberated, Trump spent his time making phone calls, posting on social media, and chatting with friends, including real estate developer Steve Witkoff and former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who accompanied him to court.
As the jury read out their verdict of guilty on each charge, Trump sat expressionless, taking in the news.
The guilty verdict sent shockwaves and prompted a series of fundraising appeals. Trump’s Republican allies rallied behind him, condemning the left for their unfair treatment of him.
The Trump campaign team began selling black hats with the slogan “Make America Great Again” to reflect this “dark day in history.”
On Friday morning, Trump’s campaign team announced a surge in donations following the Manhattan court ruling, collecting $34.8 million on Thursday alone. This translates to over $1 million raised per serious charge, surpassing the total funds raised by his political actions in January and February.
The WinRed platform used for fundraising even temporarily crashed due to a high volume of visitors.
In a post on the social platform X, Trump’s campaign team stated, “The American people see through the sham trial controlled by the cunning Joe Biden. So many Americans were moved to donate to President Trump’s campaign that the WinRed page crashed. We are working hard to get the website back online. Hang tight.”
The $34.8 million raised on Thursday does not include funds raised in person at fundraising events, or any additional donations received online on Friday.
Trump is expected to appeal the verdict. However, a sentencing hearing is set for July 11, where he must return to court to receive his punishment, potentially facing fines or up to four years in prison.
Nevertheless, this setback is unlikely to deter Trump from continuing his presidential campaign. He is slated to debate Biden in June and September and formally accept the Republican nomination at the party’s national convention in July. Additionally, Trump will announce his vice presidential running mate in due course.
Keith Naughton, a former political campaign advisor from Pennsylvania, stated that assessing the consequences of the guilty verdict on Trump will take weeks. However, it is unlikely to change the fundamental challenges facing Biden’s reelection campaign, given his poor approval ratings and dim prospects for improvement.
According to RealClear Politics (RCP) polling averages, Trump continues to lead Biden to varying degrees in national polls and seven key swing states.
Naughton believes that Biden is currently relying on Trump crumbling post-conviction or during debates, but there is also a possibility of Biden’s own collapse given his poor poll numbers and policy choices that are unacceptable to his base.