This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/oct/13/trump-sexual-misconduct-allegations-election-clinton-obama

The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Trump dismisses new sexual misconduct allegations – campaign live Trump dismisses new sexual misconduct allegations – campaign live
(35 minutes later)
4.57pm BST
16:57
Besweatered undecided Ken Bone is cashing in on his debate fame, per his Twitter feed:
Everyone wants to know if I've decided... and I have. uberSELECT helps you ride in style like me https://t.co/HyOS8z9SRd
4.54pm BST
16:54
This is strange? But campaigning presents many scheduling conflicts.
.@realDonaldTrump just canceled his interview with Sean Hannity, scheduled to air tonight, per @FoxNews executive.
CNN’s Brian Stelter reports:
On Thursday morning, he canceled on his friend Sean Hannity, a Fox News spokeswoman said. He had been scheduled to appear on Hannity’s Fox News show Thursday night. He backed out around 11:30 a.m. ET.
Hannity is still set to interview the four Clinton critics who appeared with Trump at a pre-debate photo op on Sunday: Kathy Shelton, Paula Jones, Kathleen Willey, and Juanita Broaddrick.
Updated
at 4.55pm BST
4.50pm BST
16:50
Donald Trump’s media pool reports that he’s en route to his midday West Palm Beach rally. Here’s a live video stream in case you want to watch the warmup acts, which sound terrible:
One of Trump's warm up acts just knocked Clinton for using private email "and blaming it on a black guy, Colin Powell?"
4.41pm BST
16:41
Only 46 days till the election!
The best of last night's late-night TV: Go out and vote on Nov. 28 https://t.co/6s69SayzBB pic.twitter.com/pBApCKCch7
4.36pm BST
16:36
Notice: An earlier block incorrectly attributed opposition to the 1990s Nato bombing of Serbian forces to Donald Trump, when in fact it was a Trump adviser who registered that view with a Serbian magazine, and not the candidate. The story was originally reported by Newsweek, which appears to have deleted it. The previous block in this blog has been updated.
4.27pm BST4.27pm BST
16:2716:27
And here’s the latest Politics for Humans podcast, in which the Guardian’s Sabrina Siddiqui puts political topics in people terms:And here’s the latest Politics for Humans podcast, in which the Guardian’s Sabrina Siddiqui puts political topics in people terms:
NEW Politics for Humans: @FareedZakaria & Amb. Ronald Neumann join me to discuss the global view on this election https://t.co/Ror6vlsKOHNEW Politics for Humans: @FareedZakaria & Amb. Ronald Neumann join me to discuss the global view on this election https://t.co/Ror6vlsKOH
4.23pm BST4.23pm BST
16:2316:23
Here’s Barack Obama on when Dylan was awarded a medal of honor:Here’s Barack Obama on when Dylan was awarded a medal of honor:
On Bob Dylanby Barack Obama pic.twitter.com/o0lC4V5BsvOn Bob Dylanby Barack Obama pic.twitter.com/o0lC4V5Bsv
4.12pm BST4.12pm BST
16:1216:12
Trump campaign chair on Bill Clinton: 'we're going to turn him into Bill Cosby'Trump campaign chair on Bill Clinton: 'we're going to turn him into Bill Cosby'
A senior Trump adviser tells Bloomberg the campaign will soon bring forward new accusers: “Women are coming to us who have been groped or sexually abused by Bill Clinton.” Bloomberg reports:A senior Trump adviser tells Bloomberg the campaign will soon bring forward new accusers: “Women are coming to us who have been groped or sexually abused by Bill Clinton.” Bloomberg reports:
Trump is considering featuring these women at campaign rallies to “give witness to what Hillary Clinton actually did.” ...Trump is considering featuring these women at campaign rallies to “give witness to what Hillary Clinton actually did.” ...
On Thursday night, the Trump campaign will begin a new media blitz, his advisers say, with Broaddrick, Willey, and Jones appearing together on a one-hour Fox News special hosted by Sean Hannity. Additional interviews will follow.On Thursday night, the Trump campaign will begin a new media blitz, his advisers say, with Broaddrick, Willey, and Jones appearing together on a one-hour Fox News special hosted by Sean Hannity. Additional interviews will follow.
The move to further amplify the campaign’s focus on Bill Clinton’s past relationships with women comes amid fresh allegations of Trump’s misbehavior...The move to further amplify the campaign’s focus on Bill Clinton’s past relationships with women comes amid fresh allegations of Trump’s misbehavior...
“She’s led a program of victim intimidation,” [Trump campaign CEO Stephen] Bannon told Trump staffers, according to two advisers who were present. “This has nothing to do with consensual sexual affairs and infidelities. This is Bill. We’re going to turn him into Bill Cosby.”“She’s led a program of victim intimidation,” [Trump campaign CEO Stephen] Bannon told Trump staffers, according to two advisers who were present. “This has nothing to do with consensual sexual affairs and infidelities. This is Bill. We’re going to turn him into Bill Cosby.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.20pm BSTat 4.20pm BST
4.09pm BST4.09pm BST
16:0916:09
Here’s the latest edition of Anywhere but Washington, in which Paul Lewis explores the power of the Republican presidential nominee’s message in the poorest county of West Virginia:Here’s the latest edition of Anywhere but Washington, in which Paul Lewis explores the power of the Republican presidential nominee’s message in the poorest county of West Virginia:
4.04pm BST4.04pm BST
16:0416:04
Mazin SidahmedMazin Sidahmed
Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh warned his listeners against the “rape police” on Wednesday, and mocked the concept of sexual consent.Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh warned his listeners against the “rape police” on Wednesday, and mocked the concept of sexual consent.
Limbaugh said Trump’s critics on the left were being hypocritical:Limbaugh said Trump’s critics on the left were being hypocritical:
“You can do anything, the left will promote and understand and tolerate anything, as long as there is one element. Do you know what it is? Consent,” Limbaugh said, in a clip published by Media Matters. “If there is consent on both or all three or all four, however many are involved in the sex act, it’s perfectly fine. Whatever it is. But if the left ever senses and smells that there’s no consent in part of the equation then here come the rape police.”“You can do anything, the left will promote and understand and tolerate anything, as long as there is one element. Do you know what it is? Consent,” Limbaugh said, in a clip published by Media Matters. “If there is consent on both or all three or all four, however many are involved in the sex act, it’s perfectly fine. Whatever it is. But if the left ever senses and smells that there’s no consent in part of the equation then here come the rape police.”
Many took to social media to explain to Limbaugh that the rape police were in fact just the police.Many took to social media to explain to Limbaugh that the rape police were in fact just the police.
Influential US radio host rants against consent in sex (ie, for rape). Watch out for "rape police" (ie, police) https://t.co/x5RMSkGPLu pic.twitter.com/zxF4TjwBl9Influential US radio host rants against consent in sex (ie, for rape). Watch out for "rape police" (ie, police) https://t.co/x5RMSkGPLu pic.twitter.com/zxF4TjwBl9
Someone should explain to Rush Limbaugh that "the rape police" are just, you know, the police. https://t.co/2EeTiKEMoqSomeone should explain to Rush Limbaugh that "the rape police" are just, you know, the police. https://t.co/2EeTiKEMoq
Limbaugh hosts one of the country’s most popular talk radio shows and draws millions of listeners daily.Limbaugh hosts one of the country’s most popular talk radio shows and draws millions of listeners daily.
He has a history of flippant comments about rape including saying, “no means yes if you know how to spot it” and that women on college campuses were imagining they were being raped.He has a history of flippant comments about rape including saying, “no means yes if you know how to spot it” and that women on college campuses were imagining they were being raped.
4.00pm BST4.00pm BST
16:0016:00
NJ.com has further on the official misconduct complaint against Christie:NJ.com has further on the official misconduct complaint against Christie:
A judge in Bergen County ruled Thursday morning that there is enough probable cause for an official misconduct complaint against Gov. Chris Christie to move forward in connection with the governor’s alleged role in the Bridgegate scandal.A judge in Bergen County ruled Thursday morning that there is enough probable cause for an official misconduct complaint against Gov. Chris Christie to move forward in connection with the governor’s alleged role in the Bridgegate scandal.
Bill Brennan, a retired Teaneck firefighter and citizen activist, filed the complaint against Christie. The September 2013 incident that became known as Bridgegate caused significant traffic issues over a four-day span in the Fort Lee area. The closures sparked a 16-month federal investigation.Bill Brennan, a retired Teaneck firefighter and citizen activist, filed the complaint against Christie. The September 2013 incident that became known as Bridgegate caused significant traffic issues over a four-day span in the Fort Lee area. The closures sparked a 16-month federal investigation.
Bergen County Superior Court Judge Roy McGeady ruled that there was probable cause for Brennan’s complaint to move forward. ...Bergen County Superior Court Judge Roy McGeady ruled that there was probable cause for Brennan’s complaint to move forward. ...
McGeady said the case would now go to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. The prosecutor, Gurbir S. Grewal, a Christie appointee, would probably recuse himself, McGeady said.McGeady said the case would now go to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. The prosecutor, Gurbir S. Grewal, a Christie appointee, would probably recuse himself, McGeady said.
The audience in his court room, mostly there for minor criminal violations, applauded after he ruled.The audience in his court room, mostly there for minor criminal violations, applauded after he ruled.
3.42pm BST
15:42
Trump, one year ago: bombing Serbs was 'OK'
Ben Jacobs
One year ago today, the Guardian’s Ben Jacobs interviewed Trump about foreign policy.
Trump staked out the exact opposite position on the Kosovo intervention from the one that has been revealed today. Ben wrote at the time:
The US needs to focus on fixing itself rather than on “nation-building” abroad,Donald Trump told the Guardian in an exclusive interview. The Republican presidential frontrunner then gave two examples of exceptions to his philosophy: in Kosovo in the 1990s, and in the conflict against Isis today. [...]
Asked about Bill Clinton’s support for intervention in Kosovo in order to prevent ethnic cleansing in the 1990s, however, Trump allowed: “It’s OK, sure.”
Updated
at 3.45pm BST
3.31pm BST
15:31
Carson: allegations against Trump 'a bunch of crap'
Asked on Fox and Friends about the numerous new allegations against Donald Trump of unwanted touching, former presidential candidate and stalwart if unpredictable Trump defender Ben Carson says the story is “a bunch of crap” cooked up by the media:
There’s an atmosphere that’s been created by the New York Times and others that says look, if you’re willing to come out and say something, we’ll give you fame, we’ll give you whatever you need… what a bunch of crap. The people have to see through this because again the train is going off the cliff. Our country is going off the cliff financially and so many other ways. If we don’t deal with this stuff now, our children are completely going to be disadvantaged and destroyed, their future will be destroyed.”
3.26pm BST
15:26
Judge summons Christie
Last month, a witness in a criminal case concerning the closure of traffic lanes on the George Washington Bridge as an act of political retribution testified that New Jersey governor Chris Christie’s office had been informed of the plan, despite Christie’s denials of any knowledge of the plot.
Christie now faces a new inquiry for official misconduct in the incident:
URGENT BREAKING: NJ judge issues Probable Cause criminal summons vs. @GovChristie for official misconduct in office #Bridgegate @NBCNewYork pic.twitter.com/VuqJursEfx
3.22pm BST
15:22
Trump calls intervention in Bosnian Muslim genocide 'a big mistake'
Donald Trump has told a Serbian magazine that the US participation in the 1995 and 1999 Nato bombing of Serbian forces was “a big mistake,” in a statement that lines up with a frequent Russian criticism. Newsweek has the story.
“The bombing of Serbs, who were our allies in both world wars, was a big mistake,” Trump told Serbian weekly magazine Nedeljnik. “Serbians are very good people. Unfortunately, the Clinton administration caused them a lot of harm, but also throughout the Balkans, which they made a mess out of.”
The 1995 bombing followed the massacre of Bosnian Muslims at Srebenica and the Markale market massacres.
It’s estimated that more than 8,000 Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) were rounded up by soldiers from the Republika Srpska and killed in and around the town of Srebrenica. Deemed an act of genocide, it was a war crime that came to symbolise the ugliness of the ethnic disputes that set the Balkans aflame in the 1990s.
You can read more about Srebenica here.
From Newsweek:
Bill Clinton, husband and supporter of Trump’s rival in the presidential race, Hillary Clinton, was president of the U.S. throughout the violent collapse of Yugoslavia, which saw ethnic Serb militias engage in ethnic cleansing against predominantly Muslim groups in the former Yugoslavia. The bombings caused hundreds of civilian casualties but also stopped the advance of Serb troops.
Trump did not specify how he would have handled the situation differently, but vowed to have “a new policy with the Balkans if [he] won” the election.
The NATO bombings are still a controversial issue in Serbia, which has been transformed since the collapse of the Communist Yugoslav Federation, into an EU candidate country.
Eric Gordy, professor in Southeast European Politics at University College London told Newsweek Trump’s words echo the tactic used by the Russian government to cultivate support among Serbs.
“The most obvious interpretation of his statement is that it is another sign of alignment with Russia,” he says. “To be honest, this kind of statement is usually more a symbolic attempt for Russian politicians to drum up resentment towards the U.S.,” Gordy explains.
“I expect this is probably just rhetoric by Trump as U.S. policy in the Balkans has been pretty consistently supportive of Serbia since they waged the aerial campaign in the 1990s,” Gordy adds. “Otherwise it is hard to imagine that the U.S. could be more pro-Serbia at the moment.”
In 1999, Trump told Larry King he would have put ground troops into Kosovo. Now apologizes for bombing? https://t.co/lTJOQBdc3m
Updated
at 3.37pm BST
3.01pm BST
15:01
Where the candidates are today
Michelle Obama will participate in a campaign organizing event in New Hampshire today for Hillary Clinton, who has a fundraiser in San Francisco. Bill Clinton has two Iowa stops on his schedule, and Chelsea Clinton has a Maine organizing event.
Donald Trump has a noon event scheduled in West Palm Beach, Florida, and an evening event in Cincinnati, Ohio.
His campaign has also announced a late add: a speech in Columbus to focus on millennials.
Per pool note from @hollybdc, Trump is giving a surprise speech focused on millennials today in Columbus
2.51pm BST
14:51
#TBT
Crossing the Line: How Donald Trump Behaved With Women in Private
Donald was having a pool party at Mar-a-Lago. There were about 50 models and 30 men. There were girls in the pools, splashing around. For some reason Donald seemed a little smitten with me. He just started talking to me and nobody else.
He suddenly took me by the hand, and he started to show me around the mansion. He asked me if I had a swimsuit with me. I said no. I hadn’t intended to swim. He took me into a room and opened drawers and asked me to put on a swimsuit.
(h/t @bencjacobs)
2.48pm BST
14:48
On the night of the second debate, as Trump staged a media event with three women who have accused Bill Clinton of sexual assault and rape, Trump’s campaign manager called for every survivor of sexual assault to be heard:
RT if you agree. "Every" the operative word here. https://t.co/hqvij2DPjA
2.42pm BST
14:42
Impeach Jeb Bush!
On Earth B, Jeb gaffes today by telling reporters in his daily gaggle that his favorite Dylan song is "The Weight." His lead slips to 4 pts.
Bob Dylan has been awarded the Nobel prize for literature. The Weight of course is a The Band song with songwriting credit going to Robbie Robertson.
2.37pm BST
14:37
Trump: allegations 'a total fabrication'
Trump is swiping left and right at publications this morning carrying stories about him making unwanted physical contact with women.
To this New York Times story, Two Women Say Donald Trump Touched Them Inappropriately, Trump says:
The phony story in the failing @nytimes is a TOTAL FABRICATION. Written by same people as last discredited story on women. WATCH!
To this People magazine story, Physically Attacked by Donald Trump – a PEOPLE Writer’s Own Harrowing Story, Trump says:
Why didn't the writer of the twelve year old article in People Magazine mention the "incident" in her story. Because it did not happen!
This is from the People story:
When we took a break for the then-very-pregnant Melania to go upstairs and change wardrobe for more photos, Donald wanted to show me around the mansion. There was one “tremendous” room in particular, he said, that I just had to see.
“I just start kissing them,” he said to Bush. “It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.”
We walked into that room alone, and Trump shut the door behind us. I turned around, and within seconds he was pushing me against the wall and forcing his tongue down my throat.
Now, I’m a tall, strapping girl who grew up wrestling two giant brothers. I even once sparred with Mike Tyson. It takes a lot to push me. But Trump is much bigger — a looming figure — and he was fast, taking me by surprise and throwing me off balance. I was stunned. And I was grateful when Trump’s longtime butler burst into the room a minute later, as I tried to unpin myself.
Updated
at 2.54pm BST
1.52pm BST
13:52
Hello and welcome to our live-wire coverage of the 2016 race for the White House. A wave of claims about Donald Trump’s alleged sexual transgressions and inappropriate behaviour – in one case involving comments about a young girl – has emerged, threatening the Republican presidential nominee’s already fragile campaign less than a month before election day.
Ever since video of the real estate mogul surfaced on Friday showing him bragging about how he could grab women’s genitals with impunity, more and more women have come forward to claim they were demeaned and touched inappropriately.
By late Wednesday evening the list of new allegations against Trump included:
Read further:
A Trump lawyer sent the New York Times a letter asking them to retract a story:
Here it is: Trump campaign lawyer sends letter to @nytimes demanding "full and immediate retraction and apology" of article==> pic.twitter.com/yQpk5lgGOB
This isn't a lawsuit. This is what a lawyer writes to pretend to his client that's he's doing something beyond filing a suit that can't win. https://t.co/VaJCIxcHsv
The national field director for the Democrats circulates a video of Trump supporters abusing African Americans and scenes from the civil rights era:
Absolutely devastating. pic.twitter.com/n6Y6NOZvCe
Obama back on trail
Barack Obama will try to rev up Democrats in Ohio during a two-day visit, as the number of states that could swing to either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump narrows to just a handful, the AP reports:
Obama heads to Columbus on Thursday to be the featured speaker at an annual dinner benefiting Ohio Democrats and Gov. Ted Strickland, who is running to oust incumbent Republican Sen. Rob Portman. On Friday, Obama will hold a rally in Cleveland for Clinton emphasizing early voting, a major focus for Democrats across the U.S. this year.
Before flying to Ohio, Obama planned to speak in Pittsburgh at the “White House Frontiers Conference,” where aides said he’d announce new funding for technology and research and tout innovations like self-driving cars and artificial intelligence. Obama, in an op-ed in the magazine Wired, said the U.S. needed to adapt its skills to address emerging threats like antibiotic-resistant “superbugs,” cybersecurity and climate change.
Thank you for reading and please join us in the comments.
Updated
at 2.45pm BST