Associated Press
President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is spending $50 million through the end of June, a blitz that includes its first television ad trumpeting Donald Trump’s felony conviction and signals that the Democratic incumbent is seeking to make his Republican opponent’s legal woes a bigger issue heading into November.
The advertising push comes with Election Day still more than five months away. But Biden’s campaign says it wants to more clearly define the choice between the candidates ahead of the first debate between them in Atlanta on June 27.
The ad campaign includes more than $1 million geared toward media reaching Black, Hispanic and Asian American voters and a spot highlighting Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts in a New York hush money case. It will air on general market television and connected TV on streaming devices and cellphones in battleground states as well as on national cable.
Besides Trump’s criminal conviction, the ad, titled “Character Matters,” notes the former President also was found liable for sexual assault and financial fraud in separate proceedings. Trump also faces felony charges in three other criminal cases, none of which may go to trial before the November election.
“This election is between a convicted criminal who’s only out for himself and a President who’s fighting for your family,” intones the ad’s narrator over images of a Trump mug shot and Biden high-fiving supporters.
Biden’s son Hunter last week was convicted in Delaware of three felony charges related to the purchase of a revolver in 2018, when, prosecutors argued, he lied on a mandatory gun purchase form by saying he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs. The President has said he would accept the outcome of the case and “continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal.”
A central part of Biden’s reelection strategy is also highlighting Trump’s policy proposals for a second term and firing up disaffected Democrats and independent voters. Still, the campaign producing an ad that leans heavily into Trump’s conviction and including it in such a large advertising buy indicates a renewed effort to make Trump’s legal problems an election issue in ways Biden’s team previously resisted.
“It’s a stark contrast, and it’s one that matters deeply to the American people,” Biden campaign spokesman Michael Taylor said in a statement. “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 has denied any wrongdoing and has argued, without evidence, that Biden or Justice Department officials orchestrated the New York case against him for political reasons. He and his allies also have raised the prospect of prosecuting political opponents in revenge if he returns to the White House.
Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that the Biden administration had “weaponized the justice system against President Trump” and that the contrast between her candidate and Biden “will be very clear on the debate stage.”
9 comments
Michael K
June 17, 2024 at 11:17 am
I remember when being a convicted felon was an automatic disqualifier for anyone seeking the public trust. Same with anyone found liable for rape. Yet in Trump, this double-whammy seems to be a highly sought credential rather than a liability.
Character and integrity still matter to many of us.
Tom
June 17, 2024 at 2:03 pm
It certainly appears to be chipping away at his support from independents and when all is said and done, they’re the ones who push one candidate or the other over the line.
Based on his pleading with the Supreme court and his flunkies in the house to somehow intervene in his convictions, even though they have absolutely no jurisdiction, he must be worried and he probably should be.
My Take
June 19, 2024 at 2:30 am
Taking the Fifth was a sure disqualifier.
Now it seems to be nothing.
Elvis Pitts "The Big Voice On The Right" American
June 17, 2024 at 7:55 pm
Good evening America,
I’ve got people inside the Advertizing Firms and in Broadcasting who have informed me on the condition of anominity that these will be low quality cheaply done ads for the Democrats.
The adds are being made for around 1.5 Million
the Broadcasting companies are actually chargeing 8.5 Million to run the adds. Which totals out to just 10 Million.
The remaining 40 Million will be funnelled back to The 08IDEN crime Family.
Yes it seems the Rats on the sinking Democratic ship have lost their minds.
I’m working closely with out next POTUS Donald Trump to inventory everything in the White House as we fully expect the 08IDEN crime family to strip the Historical art work off the walls and out the door with them.
I’ve got all the plates and silver wsre inventoried and we have a hazmat team coming in to scrub all the STDS, DRUGS, AND THE TOTAL ANAL BUTT CRACK STINCH prior to The Trumps moveing in.
Thought you Sage Patriots should be kept up to speed as to how the transition to Trump is being so throughly planed out for the safety and enjoyment of The White House.
Thank you America,
Elvis Pitts American
Speedy y SloPoke
June 17, 2024 at 8:30 pm
Elvis Erick just called and asked us to quietly pass on how greatfull he and the entire family are for you taking the point of the spear in secureing the White House property. And especially getting all that Stink and Cooties cleaned up. You will be receiveing The Presidental Medal of Honor soon after January 6 2025 (The same honor The President Bestowed upon Rush).
Speedy y SloPoke Gonzalez
Cindy
June 17, 2024 at 8:39 pm
You will learn groups stick together
Hamas Earl Maga
June 18, 2024 at 10:23 am
A fine Qristian.
Cindy
June 17, 2024 at 8:40 pm
Groups stick together 💪
Elvis Pitts "The Big Voice On The Right" American
June 17, 2024 at 8:58 pm
Thank you Beautiful Cindy for your love and adoration of me and my Hispanic friends Speedy and Sloapoke.
We all love you very much,
Elvis