In a startling revelation, advisers to former President Donald Trump have reportedly suggested that his victory in the 2024 presidential election could be his best defense against potential imprisonment. This information was shared by Maggie Haberman, a New York Times reporter, during a CNN interview.

Haberman explained that Trump's advisers have been candid with him about the potential legal challenges he faces. They believe that winning the 2024 election could be a crucial safeguard against the possibility of serving jail time. This advice comes in the wake of Trump being notified by Jack Smith, the special counsel, that he is a target in the January 6 grand jury investigation. This case is separate from Smith's probe into Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents.

According to Haberman, Trump perceives all of his legal cases as threats, but the federal case, due to its potential for lengthy jail sentences, is of particular concern. "He is looking at this broadly as a political threat," Haberman stated. She added that the documents case had upset Trump for various reasons, including the fact that it involved an FBI search of his home.

Haberman also revealed that Trump has been in a sour mood since receiving Smith's notification about the potential new charges. She noted that he seemed less than enthusiastic on his way to Iowa for a town hall with Sean Hannity.

The reporter then shared what Trump's advisers have been telling him privately. "At the moment, he is seeing this broadly as a threat to his freedom, and his advisers have been — in private conversations — pretty blunt that they see it as he has to win the election, and that is how he guarantees that he does not face jail time," Haberman said.

She further pointed out that the idea of looking at a presidential election as an insurance policy or a way out for Trump could significantly impact the entire presidential race. "Now, again, it only takes one juror in any of these cases. He has not been convicted of anything. But the fact that they’re looking at an election to the highest office in the land as some kind of an insurance policy or an out for him, really affects and, I think, colors the entire presidential race," she concluded.

Earlier this week, Trump informed his followers that he had received a letter from "Deranged Jack Smith," stating that he was a target of the January 6th grand jury investigation. The letter gave him a short four-day notice to report to the grand jury, which Trump interpreted as a precursor to an arrest and indictment.