Former US President Donald Trump said the most recent criminal charges against him will help his presidential campaign in 2024. 

Speaking to Republicans in Alabama, Mr Trump claimed his approval ratings in polls go up every time an indictment is filed, describing the allegations against him as "fake" and a "sham". 

“We need one more indictment to close out this election,” he said. “One more indictment and this election is closed out. Nobody has even a chance. 

“Every time the radical left, Democrats, Marxists, communists and fascists indict me, I consider it a truly great badge of honour, because I'm being indicted for you. 

“Thanks a lot, I appreciate it.”

Indictment

Mr Trump has been charged with attempting to overturn the result of the 2020 US Government after he was defeated by Joe Biden. 

It is alleged that he indulged in a conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstructed official proceedings, tampered with a witness and conspired against the rights of US citizens. 

Jack Smith, the counsel who led the inquiry into the January 6th riots in Washington, described the events of that day as “an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy.” 

This is Mr Trump's third criminal charge in four months.

'Akin to insanity defence'

Irish-American law lecturer Larry Donnelly told The Anton Savage Show Mr Trump’s legal representatives will "definitely" argue he genuinely believed he won the 2020 US presidential election. 

“That's almost akin to accepting people to go down the insanity defence route,” he said. “Anyone with an iota of credibility left told the guy up that he lost the election.” 

Mr Donnelly explained that if Mr Trump is found guilty, he could still technically run for president in 2024. 

“But as a practical matter, I think that would be very, very difficult,” he said. “Even most of Trump's base, I think, would probably walk away if you were in prison trying to run for president.” 

January 6th Riots at The Capitol Building in Washington. Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Donnelly said Mr Trump “brazenness” has earned him loyalty from a small cohort of right-wing voters. 

“There is a core of support that will not leave Donald Trump no matter what,” he said. “But here's the thing - they don't get to decide who the president United States is.  

“It's the people in the middle, that small cohort of voters who could go either way, they're the ones who decide this. 

“And in my view, with this development, coupled with lots of other things have turned them off Donald Trump, there's no way they're going to go back to him.” 

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