Former Judge Andrew Napolitano shared his perspective with Newsmax regarding former President Donald Trump’s upcoming criminal trial in New York City, suggesting that its impact on Trump’s reelection campaign could be both positive and negative.
The trial, centered on an alleged hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, is proceeding after Trump’s efforts to delay were rejected by an appeals court.
Judge Napolitano (Credits: Talks on Law)
Trump faces accusations of falsifying business records to conceal payments to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who allegedly paid Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair with Trump.
Napolitano explained in “Wake Up America” that Trump has a knack for turning misfortunes into political advantages. He speculated that if Trump faces criticism from the judge during the trial, he could leverage such moments in his campaign commercials.
However, Napolitano cautioned against predicting whether the trial would benefit or harm Trump’s reelection bid. He emphasized the mundane nature of courtroom proceedings, noting that much of the trial would be uneventful. Trump’s presence in court for extended periods could also pose challenges.
Donald Trump (Credits: CNBC)
Regarding the trial’s timeline, Napolitano anticipated a lengthy jury selection process due to finding impartial jurors in New York City. While Trump could face conviction as a felon if found guilty, Napolitano doubted he would serve jail time due to his lack of prior convictions and the nature of the alleged crime.
Napolitano suggested that Trump’s trial could present both opportunities and obstacles for his political future, emphasizing the unpredictability of its impact on his reelection prospects.