After Donald Trump's denial that he groped women, female accusers start coming forward
Donald Trump continues to say he won Sunday night's debate against Hillary Clinton, but one answer is costing him dearly on Wednesday. When pressed by Anderson Cooper, Trump said that despite his recently unearthed lewd language about forcing himself on women, he had never actually kissed or groped anyone without her consent. Three women told The New York Times and Palm Beach Post that Trump had done just that, and that they came forward after hearing Trump's denial on Sunday night. None of the women reported the alleged assault, but all of them told family or friends about it.
Jessica Leeds, 74, and Rachel Crooks, 33, tell The New York Times that Trump groped or kissed them in public more than a decade ago. Crooks said that in 2005, when she was a 22-year-old receptionist at a real estate company inside Trump Tower, she ran into Trump at an elevator bank, introduced herself, and after a long handshake and kiss on the cheek, Trump "kissed me directly on the mouth." "I was so upset that he thought I was so insignificant that he could do that," she said.
Leeds told The Times that she was seated next to Trump in first class some 30 years ago, and about 45 minutes into the flight, he lifted up the armrest, moved next to her, then grabbed her breasts and tried to put his hand up her skirt. "He was like an octopus," she said. "His hands were everywhere." Leeds said she fled to the back of the plane but did not tell police or the airline because men made unwanted advances on women when she was in business in the 1970s and early '80s, and "we were taught it was our fault."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Mindy McGillivray, 33, tells the Palm Beach Post that when she worked with a contracted photographer at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump came on to her in 2001 and grabbed her "pretty close to the center of my butt" at a reception in 2003. Trump, who is famous for making employees and associates sign nondisclosure agreements, was not a direct employer of any of these women. Trump denied the allegations to The New York Times on Tuesday night, saying "none of this ever took place," and telling the female reporter: "You are a disgusting human being."
On MSNBC Wednesday night, Trump supporter A.J. Delgado reiterated those denials, saying she did not find the women's accusations "credible." Watch. Peter Weber
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
A growing iodine deficiency could bring back America's goiter
Under the Radar Ailment is back thanks to complacency, changing diets and a lack of public-health education
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - November 10, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - civic duty, uncertain waters, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 ladylike cartoons about women's role in the election
Cartoons Artists take on the political gender gap, Lady Liberty, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published