Focus groups last week of voters who were undecided following former President Trump’s conviction revealed a range of reactions to the historic ruling, with many saying it won’t be a deciding factor in their voting decision in November.
Transcription The focus group, published Tuesday, included 11 swing voters, all of whom had supported either President Trump or Biden or Hillary Clinton at least once in 2016, 2020 and 2024, according to The New York Times.
Undecided voters were asked to discuss the impact of Trump’s conviction in New York and how it would affect their likelihood of voting for Trump. Some respondents said they were “undecided” after the New York v. Trump Records Falsification ruling, in which Trump became the first former president to be convicted of a crime.
Some former “anti-Trump” voters now say they’ll support a Republican candidate who convicts a convicted felon.
President Biden and President Donald Trump will face off in a second consecutive election. (Left: Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images, Right: (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images))
Some said the ruling influenced their decision in November, but for many it was not the deciding factor.
“They said inflation, the economy, immigration and abortion were the issues that would ultimately decide their vote,” the Times noted.
“They’ve been going after Trump since he was elected in 2016,” said James, 53, from Iowa. “Democracy should be based on the will of the people. I don’t think the majority of the country wanted to see Trump charged with these crimes.”
He later questioned whether the jury made the right decision to convict Trump.
As other attendees expressed hesitation about voting for a convicted felon, Jonathan, a 37-year-old Florida native, interjected, “Let’s not forget why Trump is being elected by millions of people. He’s a shock to the establishment. His supporters don’t hold him to the same ethical standards. He’s an anti-hero, a Soprano, a Breaking Bad, a guy who does bad things, a bad guy, but does it for the people he represents.”
“He’s an anti-hero, he’s a Soprano, he’s a ‘Breaking Bad,’ he’s a guy who does bad things… but he does it for the people he represents.”
Hillary, 55, a social worker from California who voted for Trump in 2016, said she would refuse to vote for a convicted felon but wasn’t as keen on voting for Biden. Her dilemma seemed shared by others in the group.
“Despite my absolute reservations about emotional compatibility and policy differences with Joe Biden, I cannot imagine voting for Donald Trump,” she told The New York Times.
Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower on Thursday, May 30, 2024, after being convicted of 34 counts of first-degree falsifying business records. (Felipe Ramares for Fox News Digital)
She added: “If I voted for Biden, I can imagine I’d need some really hard booze.”
Frank, 65, from Arizona, responded: “The more I see Trump dealing with this, the less trust I have in him. The president is not just a good guy, he has to step up. I question his integrity and his ethics. I’m probably leaning towards Biden. I don’t like Biden. I don’t like him… he has no ethics.”
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Jonathan later doubled down on the Sopranos analogy in his defense of the former president, speaking to The New York Times.
“If you vote for Biden, I can imagine you’re going to need some pretty hard liquor.”
“Trump is not a moral compass for many of his supporters. He’s a villain acting on our behalf. He’s like Tony Soprano or Walter White… He’s an anti-hero.”
When asked about the state of American democracy in light of the ruling, the group was more unanimous.
“It’s a dangerous road,” said Jorge, 52, from California.
“It’s just complete, extreme chaos,” replied Logan, 31, a lawyer from Oklahoma.
387931 02: James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano and Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano receive counseling in the HBO hit television series “The Sopranos” (Year 3). (Photo courtesy of HBO) (Getty Images)
When voters were asked if they had made up their mind, many were still hesitant to support a particular candidate.
Jonathan, who repeatedly defended the former president in focus groups, said that for him it comes down to the economy.
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“For me as an independent, the No. 1 factor is the economy. To be honest, under Biden my income has increased. But under Trump my money has been worth more. So I’m undecided. I don’t know which is the better side of the coin. Now I’m waiting to see who Trump picks as his vice president,” he said.
Hillary said, “I can’t imagine voting for Trump. Obviously. [independent Robert F.] Kennedy [Jr.] “It doesn’t matter to me. Biden’s… hmmm. Hmmm. I have to like it,” she said.
John, 58, from Pennsylvania, said Trump’s ruling has led him to distance himself from Biden.
“Well, as of today I would say Biden is out of the running,” he said. “Biden is disrespectful and looks very weak. I can imagine a scenario where a lot of undecideds who might not vote for Trump run to Robert Kennedy Jr.”
“I was very critical of Trump in 2019, which led to the first impeachment when Trump tried to target Biden politically. I thought that was a mistake. I didn’t vote for Trump in 2020 for that. But, I don’t know. I guess I just thought Joe Biden wouldn’t do that,” John added.
Jorge agreed.
“Biden is playing dirty on this one. He’s a very weak candidate right now, so they need to make Trump even weaker,” he said.
“This ruling seems likely to increase public enthusiasm for Trump. It may ignite some of the people who were apathetic or unsure.”
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Despite leaning towards Biden throughout the debate, Chantelle, 33, from California, said she expects Trump to win in November.
“As time goes on, I think there are more and more people who support Trump these days. This ruling seems to energize those who support Trump. It may ignite some of the people who were apathetic or unsure,” she said.
