Friday mailbag! (The Tortured Poets Department edition)

Let's. Do. This.

Happy Friday!

We made it!

Donald Trump’s trial dominated headlines this week — they finally have a jury! — and, my guess is, will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

But, other stuff is happening too! House Republicans continue to prove they are not serious people. Joe Biden’s poll numbers continue to improve in a head-to-head matchup against Trump. Arizona Republicans continue to block the repeal of the state’s abortion ban.

Lots going on. But, what’s on your mind? I dove into the comments section and answered as many of your questions as I could. If you want more — and I hope you do! — please check out my livestream over at my YouTube channel at 1 pm eastern today!

Alright, let’s get to your questions. Soundtrack for this mailbag: The new Taylor Swift album “The Tortured Poets Department.”

Q: As the trial wears on do you think it will affect Trump positively or negatively? I am hoping he blows [up] during the testimony. If he does can [Judge] Merchan hold him in contempt?

A: I think it’s already wearing on him, to be honest. Sitting in a courtroom all day, 4 days a week? Without being able to say or control much of anything? That’s not Trump’s normal life.

Just look at how he reacted after court on Thursday:

Does that seem like a man who is happy? Yeah, didn’t think so.

Now, I am very skeptical that Trump is going to be allowed to testify by his attorneys. VERY skeptical. So, I don’t think he will have the chance to “blow up.”

But, if he does testify, he will have to tell the truth — in theory — and that is not a super comfortable place for him. And he will be under cross-examination by the prosecutors — and he’s not going to like that either.

So, a blow-up is always a possibility. Does that have any real-world political implications? I don’t think so.

Q: What are the odds Trump lands in jail over his tweets and/or courtroom behavior? (I'm thinking pretty high.) If so, while obviously something he can loudly whine about, is it likely to have any impact on his actions? (I am guessing not.)

A: I would say there is, roughly, a zero percent chance that his tweets or courtroom behavior get him thrown in jail.

I kid, but only sort of. I honestly think talk like this is liberal dream-casting. The judge is not going to throw the former president and 2024 GOP nominee for president in jail for tweets. Or even for outbursts in court. Not going to happen.

Will all the warnings and fines and the like impact how Trump behaves either in court or outside of it? You already know the answer but I’ll tell you anyway: No.

Q: Do you think after Trump is finally convicted Biden will call him a felon? I understand Biden is keeping out of these cases to appear as non-biased as possible. Wouldn't it be a campaign strategy mistake to not remind everyone that his opponent is literally a criminal?

A: Again, this is a BIG assumption — that Trump is going to be convicted. I am not at all sure he will be — in this case or any case.

If he IS, I think Biden will — and should — remind people that Trump has been found guilty by a jury of his peers, sure. But I just am not there yet. I think we’ve got a long way to go before Trump is convicted of anything.

While I’m here, I will also make this case: Donald Trump’s legal strategy — delay delay delay — has worked surprisingly well. While this case has gone to trial, the other three appear to be indefinitely postponed — or at least until the Supreme Court rules on presidential immunity in the summer. That’s a major win for him.