Melania Trump says women who allege sexual misconduct need 'really hard evidence'


First lady Melania Trump may have been half a world away on her first major solo trip abroad, but she still couldn't escape the controversies of the U.S.
In an interview with ABC News, taped in Kenya last week and set to be aired Friday, Trump talked about her experience as first lady so far. A preview released Wednesday shows that she also talked about where she stands on the "#MeToo" movement, in light of allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
"I support the women," she said. "They need to be heard, we need to support them. And also, men, not just women." However, she echoed her husband in declaring that people "need to have really hard evidence" if they come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct. "If you accuse of something, show the evidence," she said.
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.
ABC News' Tom Llamas pointed out that some critics would surely say she needs to support women who come forward, no matter what. Trump insisted that she does "stand with women," but reiterated the need for evidence. "You cannot just say to somebody 'I was sexually assaulted,'" she said, "because sometimes the media goes too far. The way they portray some stories, it's not correct, it's not right." Watch the preview below, via ABC News. Summer Meza
Editor's note: A previous version of this article misidentified the location of the first lady's interview. It has since been corrected. We regret the error.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
Democrats: The 2028 race has begun
Feature Democratic primaries have already kicked off in South Carolina
-
The Pentagon's missing missiles
Feature The U.S. military is low on weapons. Can it restock before a major conflict breaks out?
-
Rescissions: Trump's push to control federal spending
Feature The GOP passed a bill to reduce funding for PBS, NPR and other public media stations
-
Trump executive order targets homeless
Speed Read It will now be easier for states and cities to remove homeless people from the streets
-
Columbia pays $200M to settle with White House
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the school of failing to protect its Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests
-
Florida judge and DOJ make Epstein trouble for Trump
Speed Read The Trump administration's request to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein investigation was denied
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office
-
President diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency'
Speed Read The vein disorder has given Trump swollen ankles and visible bruising on his hands
-
'Bawdy' Trump letter supercharges Epstein scandal
Speed Read The Wall Street Journal published details of Trump's alleged birthday letter to Epstein