Trump faces political fallout after indictment

Former President Donald Trump became the first U.S. president, current or former, to be criminally indicted when he was indicted on 34 criminal counts of falsifying business records. Trump claims he’s raised four million dollars since his indictment this week. Chuck Coughlin, President of High Ground Inc., joined Ted to look at the political fallout.

As Coughlin pointed out, Trump has been capitalizing on the indictment by creating t-shirts with the conviction photo on them.

“He’s going to go make money, that’s what he’s going to do,” said Coughlin. “And use this to gin up his supporters and to create the conflict, presumable this is going to happen again, and maybe two more times.”

According to Coughlin, long term political opinion will be apparent in the 2024 election, most likely at the Iowa caucus. Historically, Trump lost the the 2016 Iowa caucus to Ted Cruz, and he claimed the vote was rigged. Ron DeSantis and Mike Pence, who are also running on the Republican ticket for the 2024 presidential election, will potentially face off against Trump in the next Iowa caucus.

“I think there will be a large debate, particularly in Iowa, like I said, about, ‘is this- is Trump a viable candidate?'” said Coughlin. “If you’re forecasting this ahead, you have to begin to look at electability.”

According to a recent CNN pole, 79% of Republicans disapprove of the indictment. Coughlin said he is not surprised by this number.

“We see this ginormous public divide between how Republicans react to things and how Democrats, but, as we’ve noted, it’s how unaffiliated voters behave… that make a difference,” said Coughlin. “It’s the swing part of the electorate.”

According to the same pole, 62% of independents approve of indictment.