Karl Rove, a Republican strategist, suggested on Friday that the possibility of allowing the sentencing process to continue in the New York hush money case involving former President Trump could have given him a political advantage.
“I also agree with the notion that was offered up by several other of … your analysts. And that is, that if he had gone forward with this, it would have, ironically enough, served the interest of Donald Trump,” Rove said during a recent Fox News appearance.
“Donald Trump has risen in the polls the more the people have reacted negatively to his treatment in the courtroom. And if the judge had gone ahead with this, it could have easily been the October surprise.” he continued.
“That is to say, [Merchan] would have potentially gone after Donald Trump in his verdict and the reaction of the American people might have been wholly negative on it and helped advance the cause of Donald Trump in the election,” Rove added.
“But a wise decision. It’s good for the country that this not be forced into the final stages of a presidential campaign,” he concluded.
Initially scheduled for September 18, the sentencing date was postponed by a magistrate until November 26.
The GOP nominee will not be subject to any criminal penalties until after the election, as a result of Friday’s ruling.
In May, the former president was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with a payment made to an adult film celebrity in order to compel her to remain silent during his 2016 campaign regarding an alleged past affair.
Trump and his legal team have consistently urged the judge to postpone the sentencing, most recently referencing the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity.
Previously, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) stated that he would not oppose a delay.
The most recent victory for Trump occurs as he and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Harris, are scheduled to participate in a debate hosted by ABC News on the upcoming Tuesday.
[READ MORE: State Court Orders RFK Jr.’s Name be Removed From Ballot in Michigan]
