During his hush money/falsified business records trial, Donald Trump has repeatedly slammed the case as a political "witch hunt" — a message he is hoping will resonate with voters in 2024's presidential election. Poll after poll is showing a very close race, with Trump slightly ahead in some polls and incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden slightly ahead in others.
Never Trump conservative Tara Setmayer, during a Friday morning, May 10 appearance on MSNBC, stressed that Trump's messaging on the trial may not be doing enough to "expand his base."
When MSNBC host Ana Cabrera asked Setmayer if Trump's rants "sell the narrative" that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr.'s indictment is a "political hit job," Setmayer responded, "Well, for his base, sure."
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But the conservative activist quickly added that Trump's claims may not be "credible" to the "moderate voters" in swing states that "Donald Trump needs to convince to vote for him."
Cabrera noted that Trump is holding a campaign rally near Wildwood, New Jersey over the weekend, and according to Setmayer, it isn't the type of event that will help him win over undecided swing voters.
Setmayer told Cabrera, "The irony of that is that he whines and complains that he can't campaign properly because of this trial and how unfair it is. And yet, at every opportunity almost, when he can campaign, due to the schedule, he chooses to do events like this — which is more about adulation. That's his fuel."
The conservative activist continued, "He needs to be in front of his sycophants in order to recharge. We all know this, and so, Wildwood — unfortunately, in my home state of New Jersey, South Jersey — is a very Trump-friendly area. The congressman there, (Rep. Jeff) Van Drew, he was a Democrat and switched over to Republican and became very MAGA. So, Wildwood is a friendly place."
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Setmayer emphasized that Trump is spending too much time preaching to the converted.
Setmayer told Cabrera, "This is what Donald Trump does. He'd much rather be speaking to the same people in the same echo chamber than expanding his base. I mean, he's got to expand his voter base if he thinks he's going to win."
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