Biden takes the lead after Trump’s felony conviction, but only slightly.

As the 2024 presidential contest between former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden looms, a recent survey of 1,854 U.S. adults conducted from June 3 to 6 sheds light on the delicate balance that could determine the outcome of the election.

Despite Trump’s felony conviction in a hush money case, the race remains incredibly tight. When voters were given third-party options, Trump only lost 1 point of support, slipping to 43%. Biden, however, lost 4 points, dropping to 42% and falling behind Trump.

Interestingly, when voters were presented with specific third-party names, independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emerged as a popular choice with 4%, followed by independent Cornel West, Libertarian Chase Oliver, and Green Party nominee Jill Stein, each garnering 1%.

While a majority of Americans, 51%, believe that the jury reached the “right verdict” in Trump’s hush money case, more people than ever, 54%, believe that Trump committed the crime for which he was on trial.

Despite this, the survey reveals that Trump’s conviction has not significantly altered public opinion of him. For instance, his favorability rating stands at 42%, while 53% view him unfavorably. The perception of whether Trump is fit to serve another term as president is split, with 40% saying yes and 47% saying no.

Moreover, 44% of Americans see the criminal charges against Trump as a “big problem” concerning his fitness to be president, unchanged from previous surveys.

Most notably, Trump’s supporters have remained steadfast in their loyalty to him, even after his conviction. The number of supporters who believe he should not be allowed to serve as president after being convicted of serious crimes has dwindled from 17% to just 9% post-conviction.

On the flip side, Democrats’ conviction that Trump should face consequences for his actions has remained steady, with 79% believing he should face serious charges.

As Trump awaits sentencing on July 11 and gears up for three more criminal trials, Americans are split on whether he should receive a prison sentence. Meanwhile, a majority, 64%, feel it is crucial to have resolutions in Trump’s trials before the 2024 general election.

Furthermore, Trump’s conviction in the hush money case has potentially fueled suspicions among Democrats and independents that he is guilty of other crimes, such as conspiracy to overturn the results of a presidential election.

The shifting perceptions surrounding Trump’s legal troubles could have significant ramifications for his political future. While experts predict that Trump’s other trials will not conclude before Election Day, voters express a preference for Biden should Trump face additional serious charges.

As the stakes remain high for both Trump and Biden, the 2024 presidential contest hangs in the balance, with each candidate jockeying for support in a closely contested race.