Let’s talk about Stormy Daniels and politics! Wait, don’t leave just yet. A recent poll shows that even though 76 percent of voters think politics were involved in charging Trump, 60 percent think he should still face punishment. Talk about a mixed bag of emotions. Independents aren’t sure what to think, with only 31 percent saying Trump broke the law, but 76 percent acknowledging politics in the decision to prosecute him. Yet, 62 percent say they’re cool with it. So basically, everyone is confused about what to do with Trump, except maybe the guy who still wears the red “Make America Great Again” cap everywhere he goes.
Now, if you’re terrified of Trump, I have some bad news for you. Some on the left are willing to weaponize the justice system against him just to stop him from winning the White House again. They’re not just using his democratic norm-breaking ways against him, they’re ready to burn the whole system down if that’s what it takes. Yes, that’s right, the very people who condemn Trump for breaking norms are doing just that themselves. It’s like looking in a funhouse mirror made of hypocrisy.
But here’s where things get interesting for the GOP. Trump’s indictment is having a weirdly positive effect on his supporters. Almost half of GOP primary voters supported him before the indictment, and now 52 percent do. Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump’s closest rival, has dropped from 30 percent to 25 percent in the polls. That’s a significant gap. At this rate, Trump will be back in the White House before you can say “alternative facts.”
However, the general election isn’t decided by Republican primary voters alone. Swing voters in select states play a crucial role and, unfortunately for Trump, they don’t really like him. According to the latest poll, only 37 percent of independents approve of Trump, and 64 percent don’t think he should be president again. Even “MAGA” doesn’t mean what it used to for these voters. They’re tired of election denial and Trump’s revenge campaign against those who didn’t support his baseless claims of a stolen election. They want to see him prosecuted. Ouch.
If Trump had focused on touting his accomplishments in office, he might have a better chance at a comeback. Tax reform, low inflation, energy independence, and so on – he’s got a lot to brag about. Instead, he’s been busy pursuing personal grievances and alienating his potential voters. It’s almost as if he wants to lose. And with so many Americans willing to go along with weaponizing the justice system just to keep him out of office, it’s a message the GOP should really think about before nominating him again in 2024. Maybe it’s time to start searching for a fresh face that the independents can get behind, like a cat video enthusiast or an avocado-toast aficionado.