President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is making a bold move, investing $50 million through June to spotlight former President Donald Trump’s conviction. This aggressive push aims to shape voter perception well before the first debate on June 27 in Atlanta.
The campaign’s strategy is clear: emphasize the stark differences between Biden and Trump. A significant portion of the budget, over $1 million, is directed at reaching Black, Hispanic, and Asian American voters. A centerpiece of this effort is an ad titled “Character Matters,” which underscores Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts related to a New York hush money case, as well as other legal issues. The ad will be broadcast on general market television, streaming devices, cellphones, and national cable in key battleground states.
“In the courtroom, we see Donald Trump for who he is,” the ad’s narrator states, contrasting images of Trump’s mug shot with Biden engaging warmly with supporters. “This election is between a convicted criminal who’s only out for himself and a president who’s fighting for your family.”
Biden has been vocal about Trump’s legal battles, criticizing the former president’s claims that the charges against him are politically motivated. “It’s reckless, it’s dangerous, it’s irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don’t like the verdict,” Biden remarked, referring to Trump’s allegations.
The campaign’s focus on Trump’s legal troubles is part of a broader strategy to highlight the differences between the candidates. Michael Tyler, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, emphasized, “It’s a stark contrast, and it’s one that matters deeply to the American people. And it’s why we will make sure that every single day we are reminding voters about how Joe Biden is fighting for them, while Donald Trump runs a campaign focused on one man and one man only: himself.”
Trump, maintaining his innocence, has accused Biden and the Justice Department of orchestrating the charges for political gain. “The Biden administration has weaponized the justice system against President Trump,” said Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, promising a clear contrast between Trump and Biden on the debate stage.
As the 2024 election approaches, Biden’s campaign is betting that highlighting Trump’s legal woes will resonate with voters and underscore the choice between a president who “fights for your family” and a former president who “is only out for himself.”