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| Trump attacks female senator and claims allegations are Democratic conspiracy | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday the harassment accusations against him were a Democratic conspiracy as he lashed out at a female Democratic senator with what was seen as sexual innuendo. | Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday the harassment accusations against him were a Democratic conspiracy as he lashed out at a female Democratic senator with what was seen as sexual innuendo. |
| “Lightweight Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a total flunky for Chuck Schumer and someone who would come to my office ‘begging’ for campaign contributions not so long ago (and would do anything for them), is now in the ring fighting against Trump,” Trump tweeted. | “Lightweight Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a total flunky for Chuck Schumer and someone who would come to my office ‘begging’ for campaign contributions not so long ago (and would do anything for them), is now in the ring fighting against Trump,” Trump tweeted. |
| Gillibrand – who along with three male senators has called on Trump to resign over the numerous sexual misconduct accusations against him – responded on Twitter minutes later. “You cannot silence me or the millions of women who have gotten off the sidelines to speak out about the unfitness and shame you have brought to the Oval Office,” the New York senator wrote. | Gillibrand – who along with three male senators has called on Trump to resign over the numerous sexual misconduct accusations against him – responded on Twitter minutes later. “You cannot silence me or the millions of women who have gotten off the sidelines to speak out about the unfitness and shame you have brought to the Oval Office,” the New York senator wrote. |
| Trump singled out Gillibrand while ignoring the male senators who have called on him to step down: Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, New Jersey senator Cory Booker and Oregon senator Jeff Merkley. | Trump singled out Gillibrand while ignoring the male senators who have called on him to step down: Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, New Jersey senator Cory Booker and Oregon senator Jeff Merkley. |
| The White House would not comment when asked what Trump was referring to when he suggested Gillibrand “would do anything” for campaign donations. | The White House would not comment when asked what Trump was referring to when he suggested Gillibrand “would do anything” for campaign donations. |
| But the tweet drew swift condemnation from Democrats for its provocative innuendo, particularly against the backdrop of a national dialogue around sexual harassment against women. | But the tweet drew swift condemnation from Democrats for its provocative innuendo, particularly against the backdrop of a national dialogue around sexual harassment against women. |
| Eric Swalwell, a Democratic congressman from California, said Trump’s comments about Gillibrand were “ugly and suggestive”. | Eric Swalwell, a Democratic congressman from California, said Trump’s comments about Gillibrand were “ugly and suggestive”. |
| “We all know what he was trying to say there,” Swalwell told CNN. | “We all know what he was trying to say there,” Swalwell told CNN. |
| Trump’s comments came a day after three women who previously accused Trump of sexual harassment shared their stories in an interview on NBC and at a press conference in New York. | Trump’s comments came a day after three women who previously accused Trump of sexual harassment shared their stories in an interview on NBC and at a press conference in New York. |
| The women – Jessica Leeds, Samantha Holvey and Rachel Crooks – urged Congress to investigate Trump’s behavior. | The women – Jessica Leeds, Samantha Holvey and Rachel Crooks – urged Congress to investigate Trump’s behavior. |
| A fourth accuser, Melinda McGillivray, appeared on NBC Tuesday morning to speak about her own sexual misconduct allegation against Trump. | A fourth accuser, Melinda McGillivray, appeared on NBC Tuesday morning to speak about her own sexual misconduct allegation against Trump. |
| McGillivray, who like the other women had initially shared her story during the 2016 campaign, accused Trump of groping her in 2003 at his Mar-a-Lago hotel in West Palm Beach, Florida. McGillivray said she was 23 years old at the time and photographing a concert at Trump’s property. | McGillivray, who like the other women had initially shared her story during the 2016 campaign, accused Trump of groping her in 2003 at his Mar-a-Lago hotel in West Palm Beach, Florida. McGillivray said she was 23 years old at the time and photographing a concert at Trump’s property. |
| “The next thing I know, I feel a grab on my right side … to my surprise it’s Donald,” McGillivray said on Megyn Kelly Today. | |
| “He’s standing a foot and a half away from me, so he had to reach out and touch me. I stand there and I’m stunned. I don’t even know what to do with myself in that moment.” | |
| At least 16 women have accused Trump of sexual assault. In many cases, the behavior they describe mirrors what Trump himself bragged about doing in a 2005 Access Hollywood tape leaked months before the November election. In the tape, Trump boasted of kissing and groping women without their consent. | At least 16 women have accused Trump of sexual assault. In many cases, the behavior they describe mirrors what Trump himself bragged about doing in a 2005 Access Hollywood tape leaked months before the November election. In the tape, Trump boasted of kissing and groping women without their consent. |
| Trump dismissed the claims in a tweet on Tuesday morning, suggesting – without evidence – that they were part by of a coordinated effort by Democrats to undermine his presidency. | Trump dismissed the claims in a tweet on Tuesday morning, suggesting – without evidence – that they were part by of a coordinated effort by Democrats to undermine his presidency. |
| “Despite thousands of hours wasted and many millions of dollars spent, the Democrats have been unable to show any collusion with Russia,” Trump tweeted, “so now they are moving on to the false accusations and fabricated stories of women who I don’t know and/or have never met. FAKE NEWS!” | “Despite thousands of hours wasted and many millions of dollars spent, the Democrats have been unable to show any collusion with Russia,” Trump tweeted, “so now they are moving on to the false accusations and fabricated stories of women who I don’t know and/or have never met. FAKE NEWS!” |
| With the issue of sexual misconduct under a national spotlight, nearly 60 female lawmakers have formally requested a congressional investigation into Trump. | With the issue of sexual misconduct under a national spotlight, nearly 60 female lawmakers have formally requested a congressional investigation into Trump. |
| In a letter, 56 female Democrats wrote to the House committee on oversight and government reform requesting an investigation. “We cannot ignore the multitude of women who have come forward with accusations against Mr Trump,” the Democratic Women’s Working Group wrote. | In a letter, 56 female Democrats wrote to the House committee on oversight and government reform requesting an investigation. “We cannot ignore the multitude of women who have come forward with accusations against Mr Trump,” the Democratic Women’s Working Group wrote. |
| The lawmakers have a press conference scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. | The lawmakers have a press conference scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. |
| White House press secretary Sarah Sanders denied the allegations at a Monday afternoon press briefing. | White House press secretary Sarah Sanders denied the allegations at a Monday afternoon press briefing. |
| When reporters pressed Sanders to provide evidence that could discredit allegations made against Trump, she said: “The president has first-hand knowledge on what he did or didn’t do.” | When reporters pressed Sanders to provide evidence that could discredit allegations made against Trump, she said: “The president has first-hand knowledge on what he did or didn’t do.” |
| Sanders also pledged to provide a list of eyewitnesses whose accounts exonerated the president. She did not provide the list by late Monday. | Sanders also pledged to provide a list of eyewitnesses whose accounts exonerated the president. She did not provide the list by late Monday. |
| Trump’s outburst on Tuesday suggested he was rattled by the women coming forward once more. Gillibrand, who has led efforts on Capitol Hill to combat sexual assault and is widely viewed as a potential 2020 Democratic contender, also appeared to strike a nerve by calling for Trump’s resignation. | Trump’s outburst on Tuesday suggested he was rattled by the women coming forward once more. Gillibrand, who has led efforts on Capitol Hill to combat sexual assault and is widely viewed as a potential 2020 Democratic contender, also appeared to strike a nerve by calling for Trump’s resignation. |
| “But, of course, he won’t hold himself accountable,” Gillibrand wrote on Monday. “Therefore, Congress should investigate the multiple sexual harassment and assault allegations against him.” | “But, of course, he won’t hold himself accountable,” Gillibrand wrote on Monday. “Therefore, Congress should investigate the multiple sexual harassment and assault allegations against him.” |
| Gillibrand’s office said she met with Trump once in 2010 and that his daugther, Ivanka, was also present for the meeting. | Gillibrand’s office said she met with Trump once in 2010 and that his daugther, Ivanka, was also present for the meeting. |
| According to federal records, Trump donated $7,950 to Gillibrand’s House and Senate campaigns between 2007 and 2010. Ivanka Trump separately donated $2,000 to Gillibrand in 2014. | According to federal records, Trump donated $7,950 to Gillibrand’s House and Senate campaigns between 2007 and 2010. Ivanka Trump separately donated $2,000 to Gillibrand in 2014. |