Donald Trump was convicted of sexual assault and defamation by a jury in a New York civil suit on Tuesday. Writer and former columnist E. Jean Carroll brought the lawsuit nearly three decades after she was allegedly raped by the real estate tycoon thanks to new legislation in that state that allows victims of sex crimes to be compensated without a prescription and, despite jurors failed to convict the former president of the offense, he must pay $5 million in damages if the appeal fails.
“Finally. You’re officially a sexual predator,” said Amy Dorris, one of 17 women who came forward to complain of inappropriate behavior. Three years ago, Dorris complained that she had been groped and forced to kiss Donald Trump in 1997. The subject is serious and sensitive, but does it have any effect on the aspirations of the man who wants to sit back in the Oval Office?
For some Republicans, the outcome of this case and the investigations of others starring Trump are an intractable stain. “The jury’s verdict should be taken seriously and is another example of Donald Trump’s indefensible conduct,” said Asa Hutchinson, a former Arkansas governor who plans to run in the Republican primary. Ethical issues aside, Texas Senator John Cornyn was more pragmatic and concerned about the results of a candidate whose campaign has been split between rallies and courts. “I don’t believe I can get elected,” he said.
John Thune, second-in-command in the Senate, was less outspoken, but concerned between the lines: “I think there’s going to be an ongoing debate for years to come since he’s running for office. People will have to decide if that’s a factor. For a lot of voters will it be.” But the majority of Republicans either remained silent or defended the convicts, as is the case with Sen. Bill Hagerty: “Another act in the ongoing Manhattan legal circus to overthrow Donald Trump,” he said.
The question, consultant and polling expert Frank Luntz told the Washington message, is that “nearly everyone has already made up their minds about Donald Trump, and some Republicans are dead set on ignoring absolutely everything he says or does, no matter how blatant.” Deep down, Luntz agrees with the then-presidential candidate’s tirade in 2016 at a rally in Iowa: “I could be in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot someone and I wouldn’t lose any voters, right? It’s great.”
Just over two weeks ago, a poll published by NBC indicated that 68% of Republican voters defended that Trump’s investigations are politically motivated and that they remain on his side.
The base of his constituents may remain loyal, and even more motivated in light of the “witch hunt” argument, but to succeed it is necessary to reach out to other constituents. “In his first candidacy, there were a lot of independent voters who were receptive to the opportunity, and I think a lot of those voters turned him down on his second candidacy, and this reminds them why,” said Republican Senator Kevin Cramer.
The latest polls are encouraging. The Morning Consult poll, conducted May 5-7 among six thousand registered voters, attributes 42% of voting intentions to Trump and 44% to President Joe Biden, who has officially launched his re-candidacy. In the scenario of a Republican primary between former president and Florida governor Ron DeSantis, the New Yorker wins with an absolute majority (60%-19%).
arrested candidates
Donald Trump, who responded to the verdict and convicted him of defamation using the same arguments – “I have no idea who this woman is, who made a false and completely fabricated allegation – can sue for prosecution, but it won’t be this verdict or a final conviction in the Stormy Daniels case that prevents him from running.
There are already two presidential candidates serving prison sentences in American history. In 1920, Socialist Party candidate Dan Ortiz received 3% of the vote; and in 1992, Lyndon LaRouche, a no-party candidate but proponent of apocalyptic theories, was serving time for tax fraud, CBS News recalls.
Donald Trump could theoretically be barred from justice. If you are charged and convicted of the January 6, 2021 riot, the prosecution may invoke the 14th Amendment, disqualifying you from holding public office.
Other Trump Affairs
counterfeit
In April, District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged Donald Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to the payment case — through his personal attorney Michael Cohen — to Stormy Daniels so that the protagonist of adult films could reveal the alleged extramarital affair he had wouldn’t tell. with Trump. It is the first time that a former US president has been brought to justice.
Revolt
A federal investigation is looking into Trump’s role in overturning his defeat at the ballot box in 2020 and his role in the events leading up to his supporters’ invasion of the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Special Counsel Jack Smith oversees the case.
Documents
The special counsel is also examining classified documents found at Trump’s home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. For months, the former president resisted handing over the documents, and the FBI conducted a search with a warrant alleging three crimes: keeping national security secrets; obstruction; and concealing or destroying government documents.
Georgia
Georgia attorney Fani Willis is in the final stages of an investigation into Trump’s attempts to overturn the state’s election results.
Source: DN
