So did Trump’s guilty verdict really change minds?
Trump’s lead against Biden has dropped two points
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A new poll reveals that former president Donald Trump’s standing against President Joe Biden might have taken a hit after he was found guilty on 34 counts in a criminal trial.
A New York Times/Siena College poll released on Wednesday showed that Trump dropped two points in a head-to-head against Biden. Before the verdict, 48 per cent of voters preferred Trump compared to 45 per cent who were for the president.
However, after the verdict last Thursday, where a jury found him guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records to influence an election in “unlawful ways”, Trump’s lead dropped to just one point. But seven per cent said they did not know or they refused to answer.
The poll composed of 1,897 registered voters who had taken a Times/Siena College poll in the past two months. It’s unclear whether the verdict caused the drop in Trump’s polling but the survey was done between 3-4 June, after the jury handed down its verdict.
President Joe Biden’s campaign has gone all-in on attacking Biden for the criminal conviction. During a fundraiser in Greenwich this week, Biden called Trump a “convicted felon”.
“Last week, for the first time in American history, a former president is convicted – a convicted felon,” he said. “He’s now seeking the office of the presidency.”
Chuck Schumer, Senate majority leader, also highlighted Trump’s criminal conviction, which happened in his home state of New York.
“The most important takeaway from this case is that nobody is above the law, including Donald Trump,” he said. “The former president went through the same legal process that all Americans go through, he was tried according to the facts and the law, and was found guilty by a jury of his peers.”
However, Republicans, including those in districts that voted for Biden, have come to Trump’s defense.
“I’ve been saying this entire time that they don't have the executive authority to do anything and all of a sudden they find found it somewhere, no rule has changed, nothing has changed,” Juan Ciscomani of Arizona told The Independent on Monday.
Similarly, Mike Lawler of New York, who also won in a wave year, told The Independent that he questioned the timing.
“This verdict was based on a decision by a prosecutor who has refused to do his job. When it comes to prosecuting violent felons. violent felons have been let go under Alvin Bragg,” Lawler said referring to the district attorney who led the prosecution.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments