>> So far, Donald Trump's
growing legal troubles do not
appear to be putting a dent in
support.
There is scant evidence any
challengers will be able to
loosen his grip on the
nomination even as he faces
criminal charges.
Donald Trump is trouncing his
rivals according to a new new
York Times poll, holding a
massive lead over Ron Desantis
in the GOP presidential field.
The results underscoring his
grip.
Speaking this weekend, the
former president railed against
Democrats.
>> The radical lunatic Democrats
impeachment, they indict me, the
Republicans don't fight, they
don't fight the way they are
supposed to fight.
The others are dirty, sick
players and Republicans are
high-class.
They have to be lower-class.
>> Among his rivals, different
approaches for taking on the
dominant front runner.
Will heard tore into the former
president.
>> Donald Trump is running to
stay out of prison.
>> Which drew a chorus of boos.
>> I know.
Listen, I knew the truth is
hard.
>> On the airwaves, Nikki Haley
encouraged Republicans to move
beyond Donald Trump.
>>
The front runner Ron Desantis
dodged a question avoiding any
mentions of the former
president.
>> For a closer look, we're
joined by a Republican pollster.
It's great to have you here.
The New York Times notes that in
the modern history -- Donald
Trump leads Ron Desantis by
nearly double that.
Is a nomination inevitable?
>> Far from it.
We have never had a leading
candidate facing multiple
serious felony invite --
indictments.
It is such an unstable
environment with the things that
have not happened yet.
Does he have a huge lead?
Yes he does.
I don't think the national
numbers are going to change a
lot.
>> Let me ask you about the
intensity.
This is a national poll, a very
favorable opinion, a group that
he carries at 92%.
How does Ron Desantis overcome
that?
>> It may be very difficult.
Running for president is really
hard.
Running for a statewide office
is really hard.
Let's also agree no one has
quite figured out how to
overcome Donald Trump.
Laying out allegations that are
totally unsupported like
pedophilia.
He suggested rfk junior he keep
doubling down on the argument
that slavery is beneficial to
some slaves.
These were obvious cases were
going in one direction was
obvious and he went in the other
direction.
>> You have the experience of
having worked for governor
Desantis.
What seems to be the problem?
>> No pollster or general
consultant or campaign manager.
That is a little unusual.
>> The candidates who seem to be
taking on Donald Trump directly,
is there enough of the
Republican electorate left to
mount serious challenges?
>> We talked that there is a
never trump cohort but it's only
about 10% to 12%.
There is a majority of the party
that are skeptical he can win in
2024.
The problem is when you say
Donald Trump is unfit for
office, it makes those people
have to recognize for someone
who is unfit to be president.
That is a psychological leap to
get over.
>> People do not want to admit
they were wrong.
>> Those three candidates are
very effective but I think
they're going to tap out.
>> We will have you back the
campaign unfolds.