Donald Trump spent Thursday morning forcefully denying accusations that he groped and kissed women without their consent in news stories that emerged late Wednesday night in separate reports by the New York Times and People Magazine.
“The phony story in the failing [New York Times] is a total fabrication,” tweeted the Republican presidential nominee. “Written by same people last discredited story on women. WATCH!”
The phony story in the failing @nytimes is a TOTAL FABRICATION. Written by same people as last discredited story on women. WATCH!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 13, 2016
It is unclear what Trump meant by encouraging his 12 million followers to “watch,” though his campaign has demanded that the Times retract its story, in which two women accused the candidate of touching them inappropriately, or face further legal action.
Trump also took aim at Natasha Stoynoff, a staff writer for People Magazine who published a first-person account of an instance 12 years ago in which Trump allegedly forcibly kissed her at his Mar-a-Lago club in West Palm Beach, Fla. Stoynoff had traveled to the beachside resort to interview the billionaire and his third wife, Melania, for an anniversary story.
“Why didn’t the writer of the twelve year old article in People Magazine mention the ‘incident’ in her story. Because it did not happen!” Trump tweeted.
Why didn’t the writer of the twelve year old article in People Magazine mention the “incident” in her story. Because it did not happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 13, 2016
The GOP nominee is slated to host two campaign rallies on Thursday, including one just miles away from his resort in West Palm Beach, where Stoynoff claims she was attacked.
