Title: Juggling Trump's Legal and Political Obligations: Navigating Chaos for his Lawyers and Campaign Staff
Former President Trump juggles campaign stops, court appearances, and preparations to testify in his civil fraud trial Amidst chaos, his lawyers and campaign staff work tirelessly to manage the challenging schedule
Former President Donald Trump has been discreetly getting ready to testify in his civil fraud trial in New York, holding meetings with his legal team in between his campaign stops and courtroom appearances, according to sources familiar with the preparations. This will be the first instance where Trump will face extensive questioning in court since his time as president, and he is likely to use it as an opportunity to gain political advantage. He has already managed to transform his legal troubles into a compelling campaign slogan, asserting to his supporters that he is a target of a justice system influenced by politics.
"The legal cases have increasingly become a big part of the campaign strategy," a Trump campaign adviser told CNN. "It all bleeds into one and its obviously a big winner."
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, a Republican presidential candidate, observes a campaign rally at Trendsetter Engineering Inc. in Houston, Texas on November 2, 2023. This visit to Houston is his second in Texas this year. Meanwhile, his sons Don Jr. and Eric are currently testifying in his civil fraud trial in New York. Following a recent ruling by a judge, Trump may be compelled to sell his properties as it was determined that he engaged in fraudulent activities throughout the development of his real estate empire.
When Donald Trump takes the stand in his New York civil fraud trial, here's what to watch for. Trump's team anticipates that his appearance will only span one day. However, if it extends into Wednesday, his testimony may disrupt his campaign schedule. On that night, Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in South Florida, aiming to divert attention from his 2024 Republican challengers, who will be participating in a heated debate nearby.
As Trump embarks on his third campaign for the White House, his legal and political endeavors are intersecting, leading to scheduling challenges and uncertainty for his legal team and campaign staff. The complexity will only escalate in the coming year, with the 2024 election gaining momentum while several of Trump's trials commence.
Trump's schedule already involves a juggling act between the campaign trail and courtrooms. For example, he recently rallied in New Hampshire on a Monday, followed by attending the testimony of his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, in New York the next day, all while preparing for his own testimony. Subsequently, he flew to Florida for consecutive campaign and PAC fundraisers. After a weekend campaign event near Orlando, Trump returned to New York on Sunday to engage in trial preparation with his legal team.
The distinction between Trump's political campaign and his legal operation becomes increasingly blurred as time goes on. Campaign emails oscillate between criticizing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump's GOP primary rival, and addressing recent court developments. Additionally, his fundraising appeals encompass a wide range of topics, from highlights of his rallies to denouncing the prosecutors handling his cases.
At the same time, Trump's advisers have been brainstorming how to effectively manage his trial dates alongside a vigorous campaign effort, according to sources familiar with the discussions. However, these plans depend on trial schedules that are beyond their control, leaving Trump's campaign team scrambling to respond to potential summons without much advance notice.
"It's not as if we have any alternatives - we are strategizing based on our assumptions regarding the trial dates, understanding that they might change," disclosed an additional Trump campaign adviser in a conversation with CNN. "This necessitates us to be less proactive in our planning than we typically would, as the objective is to minimize the need for cancellations or rescheduling."
There is nothing manageable about this
Trumps presence at his trial for fraud in New York City has occasionally caused his campaign to quickly adjust. According to sources familiar with the planning process, many of the former president's decisions to appear in court have been last-minute.
Former President Donald Trump attends the Trump Organization civil fraud trial in New York State Supreme Court on October 24.
Mike Segar/Pool/Reuters
Trump concluded his campaign in Iowa on the last day of September, and then swiftly flew to New York City in preparation for his civil fraud trial, which was set to commence on the following day. Prior to his court appearance, his team strategized on how to manage the necessary adjustments to his schedule. As Trump's interest in attending the trial grew over the coming weeks, his team had to continue making similar arrangements.
These impromptu decisions are further complicated by the extensive security measures surrounding Trump. While he travels in his private plane, he is accompanied by the Secret Service at all times, and heightened law enforcement is deployed on the ground for his journeys to and from various locations.
The logistics will become more complex in the upcoming year as the schedule of the presidential primary coincides with multiple trials involving Trump.
On January 15th, which happens to be the same day as the Iowa caucuses, Trump will face a civil defamation trial initiated by E. Jean Carroll. Carroll, a former magazine columnist, achieved a jury verdict earlier this year regarding her allegations that Trump sexually assaulted her 27 years ago.
Former President Donald Trump attends the Trump Organization civil fraud trial in New York State Supreme Court on October 24.
Mike Segar/Pool/Reuters
Developments in Trumps galaxy of legal problems, explained
The federal election interference trial involving Trump is scheduled to commence in Washington, DC on March 4. The subsequent day, Super Tuesday, will see the primaries taking place in Texas, California, and numerous other states, competing for the largest delegate prize of the year.
Following this, Trump's criminal trial in New York, concerning the hush-money payments made in 2016, is set to start on March 25. Additionally, on May 20, the criminal trial in the special counsel's case regarding the former president's possession of classified documents is slated to begin.
The advisers of the previous presidents remain optimistic that Trump's legal team will file motions that will successfully prolong the trials, extending beyond certain crucial dates on the political calendar.
"There will be numerous legal tactics employed in these cases to postpone the trials," revealed a source with close ties to Trump. "Nevertheless, we are preparing for all possible scenarios, regardless of their practicality."
Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally on October 23, in Derry, New Hampshire.
The campaign and legal teams are collaborating extensively to create plans that will strategically carry them through next November.
"The planning commences with the lawyers - they furnish trial dates and an estimation of Trump's required duration and specific days of presence," added the second campaign adviser. Despite these challenging circumstances, advisers emphasize Trump's ability to effectively handle them due to his ample resources.
"Youve got a guy who has the assets to pull this off,"Â a Trump aide told CNN. "Fire up the plane and make it happen."
But not all advisers view the predicament through such rosy glasses.
"There is nothing manageable about this," the second campaign adviser told CNN.
Cross that bridge when we get there
Trump's legal issues are a necessary concern that many of his advisers believe must be addressed.
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Trump campaign adviser Susie Wiles is seen in 2015.
According to a source close to Trump, although they believe it will not affect their chances of winning, they acknowledge that it does introduce an extra layer of complexity.
According to the source, their ground game and efforts in early-voting states are expected to remain successful, even if Trump is unable to campaign on the ground consistently.
"If we consider that he will be in court for 10 days from now until the Iowa caucuses on January 15, will it significantly change Donald Trump's chances of winning in Iowa? No," stated the source with close ties to Trump. "In fact, it might even benefit him due to the extensive media coverage and the message that this is election interference."
Trump's increase in polling and donations initially raised concerns that it would only have a temporary impact on primary voters. However, the continuous flow of cash despite several arrests and indictments has instilled a new sense of confidence among some members of Trump's team and close allies. In fact, there are those who believe that his legal battles could actually benefit him in a general election. "If the legal issues were truly detrimental to him in the broader context, we would see that reflected in the current polling data. We were essentially pushed into this situation; it was not a deliberate choice. However, what is happening legally has now become a political strategy," revealed a Trump supporter in an interview with CNN.
However, the advisers recognized the exceptional nature of the former president's predicament and its potential to alienate a significant portion of voters in the general election.
"We will deal with that issue if and when it arises," added the second adviser from the Trump campaign.
