The hush money trial involving former US President Donald Trump is ongoing in New York City. This trial is noteworthy as Trump is the first ex-president to face criminal charges. The Manhattan District Attorney has charged him with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records linked to a payment made to adult actor Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. Daniels asserts she previously had a sexual relationship with Trump, which he has denied. As jury selection progresses, about half of the potential jurors were dismissed on the first day due to concerns over impartiality.

In parallel, a New York Times/Siena College poll indicates that 53% of American voters believe Trump has committed serious federal crimes. This sentiment is shared across political lines with varying degrees: 90% of Democrats, 49% of independents, and 17% of Republicans. Meanwhile, an AP-NORC poll suggests that 35% of respondents think Trump acted illegally in the Stormy Daniels case, with a conviction seen compromising his suitability for future presidential office.

The political climate reflects these controversies with a close match-up between Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden. Trump leads Biden by a marginal 46% to 45%, indicating a tight race ahead. This survey also highlights a broader dissatisfaction among Americans, with 64% believing the country is on the wrong trajectory and nearly 80% rating the economy negatively.