12 Women Accuse Trump of Assault
In the midst of the presidential election, Republican nominee Donald Trump has had an outbreak of sexual scandals, as 12 women have come out accusing Trump of sexual assault.
This election has had no shortage of scandals for either candidate, but Trump’s ongoing sexual assault cases continue to pile on to his reputation as the election approaches its conclusion.
Trump’s sexual assault allegations go back as far as 1993, and as recent as Thursday. His first accusation was made by his ex-wife Ivana Trump, who claimed he forced her to have sex with him in 1989 (Huffington Post). Mr. Trump, undergoing a divorce settlement with Ivana at the time, denied it ever happening. Trump’s ex-wife later adjusted her claim, regretting her hostility and exaggeration in the previous statement, but it opened the door to what would be a stream of sexual scandals to come.
The list of victims includes coworkers, beauty pageant contestants, “Apprentice” contestants, and complete strangers. Trump continues to deny the allegations, including denial of even knowing some of the women. “I am a victim of one of the great political smear campaigns in the history of our country,” Trump said at a North Carolina rally regarding the allegations (CNN).
11 out of the 12 victims came forward in the course of Trump’s 2016 campaign, raising the eyebrows of some skeptical Americans. The most recent victim, Ninni Laaksonen, is a former Miss Universe contestant who claims Trump squeezed her butt in 2006 (Huffington Post). Trump has not yet addressed the allegation.
More victims seem to continue to come out, but Trump continues to deny any knowledge of the situations. The election is on Nov. 8, so it will be made clear whether the allegations take a toll on Trump’s voter ratings or not.