Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan believes that the legal issues faced by former President Donald Trump are hindering the performance of other Republican contenders in the race for the White House. According to Hogan, the extensive focus on Trump’s criminal charges has overshadowed the other 2024 candidates, making it difficult for them to gain attention and traction in their efforts to close the substantial gap between them and Trump in the polls.
Speaking on MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki,” Hogan stated, “The fact is that nobody else can get any traction or attention because all we’re talking about is Donald Trump’s legal troubles.” He also mentioned that while not everyone in the Republican primary supports Trump, they struggle to choose among the other candidates due to the lack of publicity and exposure they receive.
Trump is currently facing criminal charges in Manhattan for alleged campaign finance violations related to hush-money payments made before the 2016 election to conceal extramarital affairs. Additionally, he has been charged in Florida for mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate after leaving office. Special counsel Jack Smith, who is overseeing the classified documents case, is also preparing to seek a grand jury indictment against Trump for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Despite these legal challenges, Trump continues to maintain a significant lead in the polls, surpassing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, his closest competitor, by an average of approximately 30 points. Hogan noted that while the charges against Trump haven’t impacted him as much as one would expect, they have affected the dynamics of the Republican primary race.
In conclusion, Trump’s legal troubles monopolizing media attention have hindered other Republican hopefuls from garnering support and making significant progress in their campaigns.
