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.
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutional
Speed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for rifles
Speed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago
-
Trump taps Missouri AG to help lead FBI
Speed Read Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has been appointed FBI co-deputy director, alongside Dan Bongino
-
Trump warms to Kyiv security deal in summit
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Trump's support for guaranteeing his country's security 'a major step forward'
-
DC protests as Trump deployment ramps up
Speed Read Trump's 'crusade against crime' is targeting immigrants and the homeless
-
Ukraine, European leaders to meet Trump after Putin talks
Speed Read Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week
-
Border agents crash Newsom redistricting kickoff
Speed Read Armed federal Border Patrol agents amassed outside the venue where the California governor and other Democratic leaders were gathered
-
Man charged for hoagie attack as DC fights takeover
Speed Read The Trump administration filed felony charges against a man who threw a Subway sandwich at a federal agent