National Security Adviser John Bolton weighed in on the jury’s verdict in former President Trump’s hush-money criminal trial, saying a guilty verdict would “not look good” on Trump’s chances of winning over independents.
“I don’t think a guilty verdict, even in a Manhattan courtroom, would help anyone. He would still be a convicted felon at that point.” Bolton said: “A lot of independent voters might say this is it,” CNN’s Caitlin Collins said Wednesday.
Bolton added that a conviction would make Trump the first former US president to be convicted of a crime and would be a joy for his fan base, but that “a conviction would not look good under any circumstances”.
The jury began its second day of deliberations Thursday and a verdict could be reached at any time.
More than two-thirds of voters believe that a conviction of Trump would not affect their vote, according to a recent poll: 67% say a conviction would not affect their vote, and 17% say it would make them less likely to vote for the former president.
Trump will have to remain in the courthouse while the jury reaches its verdict, as he and his team may be needed throughout the entire trial or the verdict may be thrown out.
Bolton said he believed waiting there was “driving Trump crazy” because it was “nerve-wracking for everybody,” and argued that Trump was likely prepared for whatever decision was made.
“The difference between this and other past cases threatening Mr. Trump and his future is that this time, we’re in the middle of a campaign,” he said. “So he has a special target: Joe Biden.”
Bolton said his campaign was trying to ensure that Trump did not lose sight of his “goal” of defeating Biden in this fall’s general election.
Bolton said he believed the jury would reach a unanimous verdict but that a guilty verdict was “likely.”
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