Donald Trump warned current trial strategy to backfire hours before Ivanka Trump testimony
EXCLUSIVE: Donald Trump has been using his ongoing legal troubles to promote his candidacy to the GOP primaries scheduled for next year.
Donald Trump arrives at court for civil fraud trial
Donald Trump has been warned his current strategy to address the multiple charges he faces in civil and criminal court is unlikely to win him the support he needs to reclaim the White House.
The former president has characterized his ongoing legal challenges as a "witch hunt" against him and his family aimed at barring him from being re-elected.
Trump reiterated his claims this week after his eldest sons, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump, took to the stand in his civil fraud trial in New York.
His eldest daughter, Ivanka Trump, is scheduled to testify before Judge Arthur Engoron on Wednesday as her role within the Trump Organization comes under intense scrutiny.
But Senior Counsel Gerard Filitti told the Daily Express US that the "narrative of political persecution" is not a strategy Trump should pursue in the long term if he wishes to beat Joe Biden in the presidential election in 2024.
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Filitti said: "Trump’s tenacity and resilience in the face of his criminal and civil trials may not be enough to boost him back into the Oval Office, even if they do carry him to a primary win against other contenders.
"By embracing a narrative of political persecution - and the persecution of his children by political opponents - he has solidified support among his most hardcore supporters.
"However, unless this narrative starts to resonate with independent voters and even Democrats, it is not a new path to GOP victory."
The Lawfare Project attorney argued Trump continues to rely on his most vocal supporters but he will also need to win back traditional Republicans – and his boisterous approach to his multiple charges is not helping.
He continued: "It is too early to tell whether Trump’s messaging will resonate with these voters, but the growing number of “Never-Trumpers” in the Republican Party suggests it may not be an easy path to victory.
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"The problem, however, is that while Trump’s attitude resonates well with his core supporters and increases his already substantial likelihood of winning the primary to become the Republican candidate, it’s not a strategy that is likely to be successful in the general election.
"To become the next President, Trump has to re-unify the Republican Party (which will prove challenging), and get substantial support from independent voters (more challenging still).
"It is not enough merely to be the candidate running against Joe Biden - that was not enough in 2020, and it will not be enough in 2024."
During his testimony, Trump insisted that “this case is a disgrace" as he once again denied any wrongdoing.
And a source close to the former president claimed he is "upset and agitated" about Ivanka being dragged to court to testify.
The insider alleged that Trump considers the testimony "another move to upset him" and challenge his candidacy.
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