Donald Trump has faced numerous accusations of sexual misconduct, with claims spanning several decades and involving at least 26 women. These allegations range from inappropriate comments to more serious claims of sexual assault, and they have been highly publicized, especially during his presidential campaigns and tenure as president. Below is a detailed outline of key accusations, including some with a focus on underage individuals.
- E. Jean Carroll (1990s)
Perhaps one of the most high-profile accusations, E. Jean Carroll, a writer, claimed that Donald Trump raped her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. This case led to a civil suit, and in 2023, Trump was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, although he was not convicted of rape in the legal sense. The ruling garnered widespread attention, marking one of the few instances where an accusation against Trump led to a legal outcome.
- Natasha Stoynoff (2005)
Natasha Stoynoff, a journalist, accused Trump of forcibly kissing her during an interview at Mar-a-Lago. According to Stoynoff, Trump pushed her against a wall and began kissing her without her consent while they were alone. This event allegedly occurred while Stoynoff was covering Trump and Melania for People magazine.
- Jessica Leeds (1970s)
Leeds claimed that Trump groped her during a flight in the late 1970s. She recounted how Trump allegedly tried to kiss her and put his hands under her skirt while they were seated next to each other in first class. Leeds was one of the women who came forward after the Access Hollywood tape scandal in 2016, where Trump was recorded making lewd comments about women.
- Kristin Anderson (1990s)
Kristin Anderson has alleged that Trump reached under her skirt and touched her inappropriately at a Manhattan nightclub in the early 1990s. Anderson did not report the incident at the time but came forward in 2016, following the emergence of the Access Hollywood tape.
- Summer Zervos (2007)
Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice, accused Trump of groping her and forcibly kissing her during what she believed would be a business meeting in 2007. Zervos initially sued Trump for defamation after he denied her allegations, but in 2022, Zervos dropped the lawsuit.
- Underage Allegations Involving Jeffrey Epstein
Trump’s association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has long sparked public interest, particularly because of Epstein’s involvement with underage girls. One of the most infamous accusations came from a woman who, using the pseudonym “Katie Johnson,” filed a lawsuit in 2016 claiming that Trump had raped her when she was 13 years old at an Epstein party in 1994. This lawsuit was eventually dropped, with Johnson citing threats to her safety as the reason for withdrawing her claims. The details of this case remain controversial and were never proven in court.
- Jill Harth (1993)
Jill Harth accused Trump of attempting to sexually assault her during a business meeting at Mar-a-Lago in 1993. According to Harth, Trump repeatedly tried to grope her and forcibly kissed her. Harth filed a lawsuit against Trump in 1997, which was later settled.
- Ivana Trump (1980s)
Ivana Trump, Donald Trump’s first wife, accused him of rape during their marriage. In a deposition from their divorce proceedings, she described an incident in which Trump allegedly assaulted her. Ivana later walked back her statement, saying she didn’t mean it in a “literal or criminal sense.” Nonetheless, this claim has added to the public’s scrutiny of Trump’s past behavior.
- Other Allegations and Public Perception
Many of the women who have accused Trump of sexual misconduct have spoken out publicly in interviews and through legal avenues. For example, Jessica Drake, a former adult film actress, accused Trump of forcibly kissing her and offering her money in exchange for sex during a golf tournament in 2006. These allegations are part of a broader narrative that includes a mix of legal outcomes, settlements, and public denials from Trump.
Focus on Underage Allegations
One of the most serious and highly scrutinized allegations involved the previously mentioned “Katie Johnson” lawsuit, which accused Trump of raping a 13-year-old girl at an Epstein party. This case has often been cited in media coverage of Trump’s relationship with Epstein. Despite being withdrawn, the case contributed significantly to the discourse on Trump’s treatment of women and girls, particularly in light of Epstein’s crimes involving underage victims.
Additionally, Trump’s behavior around young women and minors has been repeatedly criticized. For instance, during the 1997 Teen USA pageant, Trump allegedly entered the dressing room while the contestants were changing, many of whom were underage. Trump himself admitted to walking in on contestants during an interview with Howard Stern, although he downplayed the seriousness of his actions.
Public and Legal Repercussions
While Trump has consistently denied all accusations of sexual misconduct, calling them false and politically motivated, these allegations have undoubtedly shaped public perception. His comments captured on the Access Hollywood tape, where he bragged about groping women, further fueled the belief among many that Trump had a history of predatory behavior. Despite this, Trump has not been criminally charged for any of the sexual misconduct allegations, apart from the civil ruling in the E. Jean Carroll case.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s history of sexual misconduct allegations is extensive, with accusations spanning from the 1970s to the 2010s. The claims range from inappropriate behavior to rape, involving adult women and, in one high-profile instance, an underage girl. While Trump continues to deny all allegations, these claims remain a significant part of his public legacy, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement and increased scrutiny of powerful figures. The connection between Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, along with allegations involving underage victims, has fueled much of the controversy surrounding these accusations, although none of the claims have led to criminal convictions.