IL Patch Readers Agree With Trump Conviction — By A Slim Margin: Survey Results

ILLINOIS — A day after history was made as Donald J. Trump became the first former president to ever be convicted of a crime, we asked Patch readers for your thoughts on the case — and you delivered.

Patch's non-scientific survey received 3,334 responses as of Monday morning, and just slightly more respondents agreed with the jury's guilty verdict in all 34 counts of the so-called New York "hush money" case.

Of those who responded, 51.6 percent of Illinois Patch readers said they agreed with the verdict, with 45.6 percent disagreeing and 2.8 percent saying they were unsure.

Similarly, just slightly more readers who responded — 50.6 percent— said Trump should no longer be the Republican nominee for president. He's slated to become the party's official nominee in July at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

That left 46.6 percent who believe Trump should still be the GOP nominee, and 2.8 percent who aren't sure.

But most readers agreed on one thing — that the New York conviction and his other criminal cases won't sway their vote in November, with 80 percent of respondents saying "no." Asked whether the three other criminal cases against Trump will change the way they vote on Nov. 5, 81 percent also said no, and 82 percent said Trump's July sentencing — and whether he gets prison time — won't change things when they go to the polls.

Asked for their take on the "hush money" case, multiple readers simply responded, "Lock him up," a callback to Trump supporters' "lock her up" chant regarding Trump's 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton. Several other Illinois Patch readers advocated for prison time for the former president, with one adding, "throw away the key."

Another went further, saying, "Convicted felons should NOT be allowed to serve in public office." There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that would bar Trump from running for president or holding office.

Several Illinois readers chimed in simply to pronounce Trump "guilty," with multiple readers also saying, "no one is above the law." Another shared their thoughts on Trump in general: "He has always been a criminal."

But some Illinois Patch readers steadfastly supported the former president, with several responding only, "Trump 2024" or "MAGA."

One person said the trial was "rigged," and another called it a "witch hunt."

Another person expressed fear that Trump’s conviction could set a dangerous precedent, saying, "It's a scary time for America. If this can happen to him, just think about what they can do to you."

Other Illinois Patch readers shared a similar sentiment, calling the case against Trump "blatant election interference."

But another Illinois Patch reader took a wholly different view, writing, "Voting for Kennedy anyway. Anyone but these two clowns."

Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in the New York case on July 11.