A HUGE WEEK FOR DONALD TRUMP

 This will be a crucial week for Donald Trump.  

• Might begin okay today, as Judge Aileen Cannon continues to hear arguments regarding the classified documents trial dealing with specifics of the case.  Being a Trump appointee, Cannon has already made too many concessions to Trump's team, for she could well be replaced.   
• In any case, all these matters must be on the mind of Trump when he should be focused on the June 27 debate against Joe Biden, while awaiting the Supreme Court's decision on immunity from prosecution for his attempted coup on 6January2021.  
• In any case, the worst Trump could get in this trial would be a small slap on the wrist.  There is so little time and more important matters upcoming.

In 2020, three debates were scheduled, but Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis cancelled one.  The first debate drew 73 million viewers (third most watched of all debates) was won by Biden.  This is the one Biden muttered, Will you shut up, man?  The second debate had 63 million viewers, and was also won by Biden.  The lower viewership was blamed on Thursday Night Football.

The first debate this year will be the earliest in presidential campaign history of competing candidates. All previous debates occurred in September and October.  There will also be another first:  a sitting president being challenged by a former president.  That photo is from the past, 22October2020.  

Polls remain  mixed about who is ahead.  Watch just released Bloomberg announcement about Trump being ahead.  But only a few days ago, Biden was in front.  It must be worrisome for Democrats that, after all his problems about being a convicted felon, Trump remains strong.  About the June 27 debate:

• Will be held in Atlanta on June 27 beginning at 9PM EDT for 90 minutes.
• Donald Trump vs Joe Biden.  Libertarian Chase Oliver and Independent Robert F. Kennedy did not qualify.

• 
  Will be hosted by CNN.  Moderators will be Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.
• There will be no audience, except for campaign staff and the production crew.  The last time this happened was in 1960 between JFK and Nixon.  This was also the first television debate.

• 
  There were thus no debates between Dwight Eisenhower (R) and Adlai Stevenson (D) in 1956, but the electoral count saw Eisenhower getting 457 and Stevenson only 73. Ike had also won in 1952.

• 
  Jim Lehrer of PBS moderated all the debates from 1992 through 2000, and returned in 2008 and 2012.

• 
  This year the mike of the person not speaking will be muted.
• The first 2020 debate saw 76 interruptions when mics (both versions are okay) were opened.
• The second 2020 debate had mike muting, and there were only 4 interruptions.

• 2024 will see a matchup of the two OLDEST candidates in U.S. history.

What are the betting odds on who will win the election?  

• While you cannot wager in the USA, there are overseas options.  At this point, it looks like Trump is ahead.  If you wager $140, and Trump wins, you will get back your money plus $100, or $240.  
• There are propositions, of course.
• Will Trump use the phrase, MAKE AMERICAN GREAT AGAIN?
• Yes  -500 (83%)
• No  +300 (25%)
• Color of Trump's tie?
• Red  -500  (94%)
• Light Blue  +300  (25%)
• Blue/Navy Blue  +450  (18%
• Gold/Yellow  +600  (14%)
• Other  +900  (10%)
• First to interrupt the moderator.
• Joe Biden  -115 (53.5%)
• Donald Trump  -125 (55.6%)
• Debate winner according to FOX News polls?
• Joe Biden  +110 (47.6%)
• Donald Trump  -150 (60%)

However, note the use of Fox News.

The more consequential matter this week could occur any day now.  The Supreme Court, nearing an end to their sessions, just announced that it will hand down opinions on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, instead of only on Fridays.  Why?  It has 14 argued cases outstanding, so these verdicts could well extend to next week.  Chances are high that it will announce a decision on Donald Trump's immunity.  Some say any verdict will hurt Trump.  

Since April I have been saying that this decision will come in June, and the decision will be no immunity for Trump, but for the U.S. Congress to look closely at clarifying certain issues.  What will help Trump is if SCOTUS delays this matter until their next session. 

As huge as this week could be for Trump, the heat will intensify next month when Judge Juan Merchan sentences The Donald on July 11.  If the answer is four years in prison, wow.  As a concession, the Judge would likely allow Trump to continue campaigning until the appeals process goes through the Supreme Court, which will reconvene on October 7.

Oh well, a few Trump cartoons.

-