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Trump attacks senator and dismisses sexual harassment claims as Democratic conspiracy Trump attacks senator and dismisses sexual harassment claims as Democratic conspiracy
(about 2 hours later)
Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that the harassment accusations against him were a Democratic conspiracy as he lashed out at a female Democratic senator with what she quickly dubbed a “sexist smear”. Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that the harassment accusations against him were a Democratic conspiracy as he lashed out at a prominent female senator with what she quickly dubbed a “sexist smear”.
“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,” the president 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,” the president 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 Democratic 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.
Hours later, Gillibrand told reporters on Capitol Hill that the post was “a sexist smear attempting to silence my voice. It’s part of the president’s effort at name-calling.” Hours later, Gillibrand told reporters on Capitol Hill that the post was “a sexist smear attempting to silence my voice. It’s part of the president’s effort at name-calling”.
She added: “I will not be silenced on this issue. Neither will the women who stood up to the president yesterday, and neither will the millions of women who have been marching since the women’s march [in January] to stand up against policies they do not agree with.”She added: “I will not be silenced on this issue. Neither will the women who stood up to the president yesterday, and neither will the millions of women who have been marching since the women’s march [in January] to stand up against policies they do not agree with.”
Trump singled out Gillibrand while ignoring the male senators who have also 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 also 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. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders denied there were any sexual implications behind Trump’s tweet, telling reporters “only if your mind is in the gutter would you have read it that way”.
“This is the same sentiment the president has expressed many times before when he has exposed corruption of the entire political system,” Sanders said. “This isn’t a new sentiment. This isn’t new terminology.
“He’s not alleging anything,” she added. “There’s no way that this is sexist at all.”
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.
Elizabeth Warren, a Democratic senator from Massachusetts, accused Trump of trying to “slut-shame” Gillibrand.Elizabeth Warren, a Democratic senator from Massachusetts, accused Trump of trying to “slut-shame” Gillibrand.
“Are you really trying to bully, intimidate and slut-shame @SenGillibrand?” Warren wrote on Twitter. “Do you know who you’re picking a fight with? Good luck with that, @realDonaldTrump.”“Are you really trying to bully, intimidate and slut-shame @SenGillibrand?” Warren wrote on Twitter. “Do you know who you’re picking a fight with? Good luck with that, @realDonaldTrump.”
Eric Swalwell, a Democratic congressman from California, said Trump’s comments about Gillibrand were “ugly and suggestive”. Warren later characterized Trump’s tweet as “disgusting”, telling reporters on Capitol Hill: “It was clear what he was getting at. He is disgusting.”
“We all know what he was trying to say there,” Swalwell told CNN. House minority leader Nancy Pelosi also condemned Trump’s attack, saying it was “disgusting and disgraceful, and of course obviously not true”.
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. While the White House has expressed a desire not to relitigate the accusations, the president’s outburst placed the conversation squarely back on his treatment of women.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. While the White House has expressed a desire not to relitigate the accusations, the president’s outburst placed the conversation squarely back on his treatment of women.
The women who retold their stories on Monday – Jessica Leeds, Samantha Holvey and Rachel Crooks – urged Congress to investigate Trump’s behavior.The women who retold their stories on Monday – 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 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 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.“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.”“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!” But while Trump claimed not to know the women alleging misconduct, there was some photographic evidence to the contrary. Footage from the Apprentice shows Trump sitting across the table from Summer Zervos, a former contestant who said he groped her. Natasha Stoynoff, a former correspondent for People Magazine, was photographed with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago on the same day she alleges he forcibly kissed her. Another photograph shows Trump and Jill Harth, who opened up to the Guardian last year about filing a lawsuit against him for “attempted rape” in 1997.
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.
At a press conference Tuesday, the lawmakers lamented that while other powerful men from entertainment, media and politics had been held accountable for allegations of sexual misconduct, the complaints of Trump’s accusers had “fallen on deaf ears”.At a press conference Tuesday, the lawmakers lamented that while other powerful men from entertainment, media and politics had been held accountable for allegations of sexual misconduct, the complaints of Trump’s accusers had “fallen on deaf ears”.
“The #MeToo movement has arrived and sexual abuse will not be tolerated, whether it’s by a Hollywood producer, the chef of a restaurant, a member of Congress or the president of the United States,” said Lois Frankel, a representative from Florida who is the head of the working group.“The #MeToo movement has arrived and sexual abuse will not be tolerated, whether it’s by a Hollywood producer, the chef of a restaurant, a member of Congress or the president of the United States,” said Lois Frankel, a representative from Florida who is the head of the working group.
“No man or woman is above the law.” Gillibrand’s office said she met with Trump once in 2010 and that his daughter, Ivanka, was also present for the meeting.
“I’m sorry, Mr President, you do not live under a different set of rules,” Brenda Lawrence, a representative from Michigan, said.
Representative Jackie Speier, a Democrat from California who has led efforts to overhaul the process for handling sexual harassment on Capitol Hill, also expressed shock over Trump’s attack on Gillibrand.
“What took place this morning when the president tweeted about our colleague, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, is grotesque, it took my breath away, and it represents the conduct of a person who is ill-equipped to be president of the United States,” she said.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders denied the sexual misconduct allegations against Trump 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.”
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.
“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.
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.