Former US President Donald Trump is facing criminal charges as he leads the Republican presidential race for 2024. He is the first former US president to face criminal charges in US history, which makes his arraignment a unique affair. His mood was described as “defiant and focused” as he arrived in New York on Monday for an expected arraignment on Tuesday after being indicted last week by a Manhattan grand jury. Although Manhattan district attorney’s office has been investigating Trump in connection with his alleged role in a hush money payment scheme and coverup involving adult film star Stormy Daniels, his indictment remains under seal.
Trump’s Political Strategy
Trump’s political advisers over the weekend were actively discussing how to best campaign off the indictment they have portrayed as a political hoax and witch hunt. Despite facing criminal charges, Trump continues to lead the Republican primary race with 48% of Republicans supporting him, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. This figure is up from 44% in March. The poll was conducted after news broke that Trump would face criminal charges related to hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
DeSantis Emerges as Trump’s Closest Rival
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emerges as Trump’s closest rival with 19% of Republicans backing him, down from 30% last month. However, DeSantis still lags behind Trump in the poll conducted between March 31 and April 3. DeSantis’ favorable recognition among GOP voters is at 87%, compared to 71% for Trump. In a direct head-to-head matchup, DeSantis leads Trump 44%-39% among registered Republican voters. Nevertheless, Trump world has launched attacks at DeSantis hoping to deter him from entering the race or sink his favorable ratings with Republicans.
Trump’s Indictment
Trump faces more than 30 counts related to business fraud, but the indictment remains under seal. Trump’s arraignment will be a unique affair both for the Manhattan district attorney’s office and the New York courthouse where he’ll be arraigned and for a nation watching to see how it shakes up the GOP presidential primary. The expected appearance of a former president and 2024 White House candidate will be a unique affair. Trump will be booked by the investigators, which includes taking his fingerprints, but he is not expected to be handcuffed. His arraignment will not be broadcast live.
DeSantis’ Approval Ratings
While DeSantis remains Trump’s closest rival in the race, his approval ratings have been high in Florida. A Mason-Dixon Florida poll shows that 59% of registered voters approve of DeSantis’ performance as governor since his re-election in November. His job rating has increased by four points since just before the 2022 election, but it still remains below his all-time high approval rating of 62% in March 2019. The survey found 39% of Florida voters disapprove of DeSantis’ performance in office and only 2% were unsure.
DeSantis’ Potential Presidential Candidacy
DeSantis is expected to announce his candidacy for president once the Florida legislature completes its current session this spring. He earned national recognition for reversing course on COVID-19 lockdowns, attacking “woke” critical race theory and gender-identity content in schools, and punching back at corporations and journalists who have criticized his agenda. DeSantis’ combative attitude has won praise from conservatives and revulsion from progressives. However, his statement made in March regarding the territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia drew criticism.
The fighting between DeSantis and Trump has overshadowed other declared candidates for president. While some believe DeSantis could pose a threat to Trump’s re-nomination chances, his favorable recognition among GOP voters has not translated to him being the top choice outside of Florida. As DeSantis awaits the completion of the session, Trump continues to lead the Republican primary race despite facing criminal charges.
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