Donald Trump's ardent supporters say they 'don't care' about his 'frivolous' blockbuster criminal porn star hush money trial that's simply a 'roadblock' to his 2024 victory

As jury selection begins in Donald Trump's criminal trial related to the hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, the ex-president's most fervent supporters have already made up their minds in the case before a single piece of evidence is presented.

Trump is the first former president in U.S. history to ever stand criminal trial. 

He is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up the $130,000 payment to Daniels. 

Trump has called the trial 'assault on America' and 'political persecution,' and his supporters closely echo what he says.

'That's a witch hunt, total witch hunt,' said Stacey Hawthorne, 57, who waited in line for hours to see Trump speak Saturday at a rally in Schnecksville, PA, his final political event before the trial began. 

'I think it's very crazy that Democrats can get away with what they get away with, and they just come after him,' said her friend Stephanie Colofa, 50.

A Trump supporter wearing a hoodie with the ex-president's mugshot on it at his rally in Schnecksville, PA on Saturday

Trump supporters lined up to wait for his arrival at a fundraiser on April 13, 2024

Trump has baselessly accused President Biden of being behind the trial. It was a common talking point among his supporters.

Prosecutors allege the ex-president falsified business records to cover up the reimbursement of the Stormy Daniels payment ahead of the 2016 election to keep her quiet about a sexual encounter that happened in 2006.

Trump supporters were more focused on the hush money payment itself rather than falsifying business records, and it didn't bother them.

'I'm sure there's not one politician alive that hasn't paid hush money to somebody to shut their mouth for something that they didn't want,' said Matthew Onuschak, 44.

'Whether or not Donald Trump paid hush money to somebody doesn't bother me. I like his policies,' he added. 

'I don't care about it at all. That's something from a long time ago,' said Janice Monroe, 69, from Germansville, PA.

If convicted the maximum jail sentence for each count is four years, but typically defendants are sentence to much less.  The hush money trial is the first of four criminal cases the ex-president faces that could go to trial this year.

But Trump supporters are not concerned with their candidate being criminally convicted or facing prison time.

'I think it's just a roadblock and they're frivolous cases and I just think it charges up his base more, said Michael Mann, 61. 'I don't feel he's going to be convicted.' 

'I think eventually after all the appeals, after everything, President Trump will be found not guilty,' said Courtney Bracken, 46.

Trump supporters waiting to get into his rally in Schnecksville, PA on Saturday. It was the ex-president's final rally ahead of the hush money trial

Trump supporters watching him speak at his rally in Schnecksville. During the rally, Trump slammed the trial, the judge, and the prosecutor in the hush money case

While Trump's most loyal supporters are not worried about their candidate being behind bars, the majority of registered voters do see the charges as serious.

The New York Times/Siena poll found that 58 percent believe the charges of falsifying business records over the hush money payment are very or somewhat serious.

The court of public opinion splits along partisan lines. 66 percent of Republicans said the charges are not too serious or not at all serious.

Registered voters are also already split on whether they believe Trump is guilty in the case. 46 percent said he should be found guilty ahead of the trial while 36 percent said he should not. Only 18 percent said they don't know.

81 percent of Democrats and 40 percent of Independents said he should be found guilty. 71 percent of Republicans and 35 percent of Independents said he should not. 

Republican lawmakers and party leaders view the GOP support for Trump as a sign to go all in for the ex-president despite the criminal charges.

On Sunday, one time Trump critic New Hampshire GOP Governor Chris Sununu said he would support Trump even if he were convicted in the New York case.

 Sununu said he does not think any American is comfortable with someone convicted of crimes as president. But he also said: 'Right now this is about an election. This is about politics.'