Experts say latest Trump liable verdict will hurt with independents, not the ... trends now
Donald Trump has faced what could have been a consequential week in his bid to win the presidency for a second time.
A jury found him liable of sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll, and less than 24 hours later at his CNN town hall he doubled down by calling her a 'whack job' and dismissing her rape allegations as 'hanky panky'.
He has now been indicted on 34 felony counts and defended his comments he made in the infamous Access Hollywood tape.
Many lawmakers and commentators celebrated as a death sentence for his campaign. Then he stoked the fires even further by calling Kaitlan Collins a 'nasty woman' during their primetime showdown on Wednesday night seen by more than three million Americans.
The reality however, to some experts and strategists, is far different. Some say his behavior should disqualify him from being the Republican nominee in 2024 - but others believe that what doesn't kill the President makes him stronger.
And his dominance in recent polls and staunch support among his base shows it.
A jury found Trump liable of sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll, and less than 24 hours later at his CNN town hall he doubled down by calling her a 'whack job' and dismissing her rape allegations as 'hanky panky'
During the town hall he also called moderate Kaitlin Collins a 'nasty person'
He has a commanding lead against potential rival Ron DeSantis, some American voters view him more favorably than President Joe Biden (according to a poll last week), and he keeps getting endorsements from Republicans.
So, will the events that unfolded this week change the minds of the supporters Trump needs the most?
'It certainly will cause more independent voters to turn away from Trump and should give his GOP challengers an opportunity to go after Trump as a risky nominee,' GOP strategist Doug Heye told DailyMail.com.
'But if they take that opportunity remains to be seen.'
'At this point, the American people already have a very good sense of Donald Trump's character, and it is unlikely that the Carroll verdict will change many voters' minds,' Christina Wolbrecht, a political science professor at the University of Notre Dame who studies politics and gender told DailyMail.com.
On Capitol Hill, one thing insiders thought Ron DeSantis would have on Trump is the establishment endorsements. But insiders say DeSantis is aloof and does not take the time to forge the connections he might need down the line - and early endorsers, particularly in Florida, have overwhelmingly broken for Trump.
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., chair of the Senate's campaign arm and an endorser
