(NewsNation) — Donald Trump has “defied political gravity,” as NewsNation’s Leland Vittert puts it, for most of his career. But now that the state of New York could soon seize some of Trump’s assets, one Democratic strategist wonders if that could harm Trump’s presidential campaign.
While Trump’s base may continue to offer strong support, “the rest of the electorate, particularly the independents, they do not like the noise,” says former Hillary Clinton aide and political consultant Philippe Reines. Independents “left him in 2020 because they did not like the cacophony of Donald Trump.”
Earlier this month, New York’s attorney general’s office filed judgments in Westchester County, just north of New York City. That’s home to Trump National Golf Club Westchester and the Seven Springs estate.
The judgments could be the first step in the seizure process, should Trump fail to post a bond so he can appeal the $464 million civil fraud penalty handed down last month.
While the financial price Trump pays may be significant, Reines says there’s no guarantee it will cost him politically. He says “it’s absolutely maddening” that Trump’s legal issues are sucking attention away from the issues in this election.
Reines also debunks idea that Democrats are engineering the legal cases against Trump.
“If we (Democrats) could push all these buttons, why wouldn’t the trials have started? Why are the trials in danger of going past 2024?”