Trump: 'This is a very scary time for young men in America'
WASHINGTON — President Trump stands firmly with the accused.
During a Tuesday gaggle with reporters gathered on the White House lawn, Trump expressed his sympathy for men — like his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh — who have been accused in the #MeToo era of having committed sexual transgressions.
“It is a very scary time for young men in America when you could be guilty of something you may not be guilty of,” Trump told reporters on the White House lawn before boarding Marine One. “This is a very, very — this is a very difficult time.”
Trump was asked about comments made by his son Don Jr., who stated that he was more afraid for his sons than his daughters in the era of #MeToo accusations.
“It’s a tough thing going on,” Trump said. “You can be an exemplary person for 35 years and then somebody comes along, and they say you did this or that, and they give three witnesses, and the three witnesses at this point do not corroborate what she’s saying. It’s a very scary situation where you’re guilty until proven innocent.”
Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court has been delayed as the FBI conducts an investigation into allegations made by three women that he sexually assaulted them or others decades ago. Kavanaugh has steadfastly denied all allegations against him, describing them as attacks by Democrats to derail his nomination.
At least 22 women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct between the late 1970s and 2013. Trump has likewise denied the allegations made against him.
In Bob Woodward’s “Fear: Trump in the White House,” the author quotes Trump telling a friend about his strategy in cases involving sexual accusations: “You’ve got to deny, deny, deny and push back on these women. If you admit to anything and any culpability, then you’re dead. That was a big mistake you made.”
Trump and White House press secretary Sarah Sanders have dismissed Woodward’s book as a work of fiction.
Asked by Yahoo News on Tuesday whether he had a message for young women, Trump responded, “Women are doing great.”
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