"Same tactics as 2016 and 2020" — Internet reacts to Trump's s*xual assault and abuse accusers taking out a full page New York Times ad
On October 21, 2024, an advertisement led by Survivors for Kamala, a group of survivors of s*xual abuse and gender-based violence, who endorsed Vice President Harris over Trump, was published in New York Times. The ad aimed to remind people of the former President's allegations of s*xual violence ahead of the 2024 Presidential elections.
"A second Trump term would pose multiple dangers to our democracy—not least of which is the dangerous daily message it would send, through his presence and his policies, that sexual violence or abuse of any kind is normal, unavoidable, and something the American people should accept," it read.
Multiple women who have accused former President Donald Trump of alleged s*xual misconduct joined over 200 alleged s*xual assault accusers.
Netizens online reacted to the New York Times advertisement, with many claiming more people are yet to come out. One user considered it a political tactic similar to previous election years, writing:
"Same tactics as 2016 and 2020."
"But wait don will sue them - won’t he?," a fan asked.
"What about all of Bill Clinton’s victims?," another user alleged.
Some users alleged that there are male victims who could come out as well.
"Only the Women?," a fan wrote.
"So the men and boys haven’t come forward yet?," another user mentioned.
"This looks identical to the 2016 hit piece spread. You must be new," a person commented.
Some of the other reactions included support for the alleged survivors.
"A full page is inadequate!," an individual noted.
"Hey! This is a very difficult and painful decision to make for SA survivors. Let’s give them our full support without passing judgement on their timing. Thank you," a netizen shared.
"Do the women or men in America, think this is okay they could’ve been your sister your mother, but they’re standing up and telling their story . American people when will you stand up and protect the women of our lives ?," an X user wrote.
Donald Trump has been accused of alleged s*xual misconduct publicly by multiple women over the years. However, his campaign has denied such allegations every time.
Over 200 alleged s*xual assault survivors signed New York Times advertisement accusing Trump of s*xual misconduct
On October 21, over 200 alleged s*xual assault survivors signed a letter published as a full-page advertisement in the New York Times. The advertisement accused former President Donald Trump of alleged s*xual assault and included signatures of multiple women who've accused him of the same.
"Dear Americans, We are survivors of sexual violence, advocates, and allies. And with voting already underway in the 2024 election, we come together to remind you that Donald J. Trump was found liable for sexual abuse in a court of law. He is a proven abuser. This is not a matter of opinion; it is fact," the ad read.
The survivors then endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential elections, adding:
"We will not accept that [Trump as President]. We demand better, and believe that in this election, Vice President Kamala Harris is the right—and only—choice for president. She will be an ally and partner in the ongoing work to end gender-based violence."
The former President was found liable for s*xual abuse and defamation of columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in compensatory damages. Carroll originally claimed that the Republican nominee allegedly raped her in 1996 in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room. The columnist wrote about the alleged incident in a 2019 memoir What Do We Need Men For?.
The jury rejected Carroll's allegations of rape against the former President but found him responsible for lesser degree of s*xual abuse. Jurors also found the Republican liable for defaming E. Jean Carroll over her allegations. The MAGA leader, however, did not agree with the verdict and denied all charges, promising to appeal.
Former model Stacey Williams accuses Donald Trump of allegedly groping her in 1993
On October 23, former 56-year-old model Stacey Williams accused the former President of allegedly groping her during a visit to the Trump Tower with Jeffrey Epstein. Williams alleged that she was in a relationship with Epstein at that time.
Speaking at an event by Survivors for Kamala (via a video published by The Guardian), Williams claimed she visited Trump Tower with Jeffrey Epstein after the latter suggested it during a ramp walk. The former model alleged that the Republican groped her breasts, waist, and backside in an encounter that left her “deeply confused. She also alleged that the incident was “some sick bet or game" between Epstein and Trump.
The ex-president's national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, denied Stacey Williams' claims in an email to Forbes, calling them "unequivocally false." Leavitt also claimed it was a fabricated story allegedly orchestrated by the Republican's opponent Kamala Harris.