Member-only story
What does history tell about Trump’s criminal charges on his presidential candidacy
Former President Donald Trump has been criminally indicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in tandem with an alleged catch and kill operation to suppress negative press during his 2016 campaign, largely revolving around the hush-money payment to pornographic actress Stormy Daniels.
He was also charged in August by U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith with four felony counts for attempting to interfere in the counting of votes and to block the certification of the 2020 election, which he lost to Democratic President Joe Biden.
The impact of criminal charges on a presidential candidate’s candidacy is a multifaceted issue that can shape the trajectory of an election in unpredictable ways. The consequences of such charges depend on a variety of factors, including the nature of the charges, public perception, legal outcomes, party support, media coverage, and the candidate’s political base.
Public Perception
One of the most critical factors in how criminal charges affect a candidate’s campaign is public perception. Serious criminal charges can quickly tarnish a candidate’s image and lead to a loss of trust among voters. The court of public opinion often holds great sway over a candidate’s political future…
