Growing Belief in Guilt, Concerns About Fairness Remain

A Closer Look

While some Republicans claim that the public sees Donald Trump's Manhattan criminal trial as a "sham," recent polls paint a different picture. Americans are not overwhelmingly adopting Trump's claims of persecution, and a significant portion believes he committed the crimes he is accused of.

52% of Americans believe Trump falsified business records, up from 59% in March 2023.

Only 22% believe he did not falsify records, highlighting a growing consensus on his guilt.

The margin by which Americans believe Trump committed a crime has increased from 9 points to 23 points since March 2023.

Only 37% disapprove of the trial, with approval ticking upwards in recent months.

These findings contradict claims by Trump's allies that the trial is a baseless exercise and that the public overwhelmingly sees it as unfair. In fact, the data suggests that Americans are increasingly convinced of Trump's guilt and support the ongoing legal proceedings.

However, concerns about the fairness of the trial persist for many Americans. A recent New York Times poll showed that 49% of voters in six key states believe Trump will not receive a fair trial. This highlights the need for a transparent and impartial judicial process to ensure public confidence in the outcome.

Overall, while some Republicans attempt to portray the trial as a "sham," public opinion suggests otherwise. A growing number of Americans believe Trump committed the crimes he is accused of and support the ongoing legal proceedings. However, concerns about the fairness of the trial remain, emphasizing the importance of a transparent and impartial judicial process.