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Another day, another headline involving Donald Trump and allegations of sexual assault, and this time, it’s thanks to Trump himself.
On September 6, 2024, Trump held a press conference in New York, which was meant to address his appeal against a $5 million verdict for sexually abusing columnist E. Jean Carroll. True to form, the event quickly shifted focus. Instead of sticking to the appeal, Trump launched into a lengthy rant about another woman who had accused him of sexual assault.
During his speech, Trump criticized his legal team, lamented their handling of the case, and boasted about his own legal prowess. He then moved on to recount another sexual assault allegation, this time detailing an alleged incident on an airplane from around 1979. Trump described the accusation, saying the woman claimed he was “making out with her” and then touched her inappropriately after 15 minutes. He seemed to suggest that the incident was implausible, stating, “What are the chances of that happening?” and adding that it was unlikely he would assault someone in first class.
Trump also took an apparent jab at the woman’s appearance, saying, “I know you’re going to say it’s a terrible thing to say, but it couldn’t have happened, and … she would not have been the chosen one.”
Trump has faced over two dozen sexual assault allegations from various women. Regarding E. Jean Carroll, he has consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming she made up the story and even suggesting that her account was inspired by a plotline from the TV show *Law & Order*. Carroll had argued in court that Trump assaulted her in a department store dressing room in 1996, leading to a $5 million award from one jury and an additional $83.3 million from another jury for derogatory comments Trump made as president. Trump is appealing both verdicts and seems to be inviting further legal trouble with his comments.
Given his ongoing legal issues and tendency to stir up controversy, Trump might need to reconsider how he handles his legal team and public statements.