Donald Trump Used Bill Clinton's Accusers As Human Shields And That’s Not Cool

Trump's exploitative "debate prep" was a distraction from his own misogynistic comments and upcoming trial for rape allegations.

Donald Trump photo
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Donald Trump photo

In a “pre-debate prep” Saturday night, Donald Trump held a press conference with four women who have accused Bill Clinton of sexual assault. Before each woman spoke, they solemnly pledged their support to Trump. 

This comes after a 2005 tape surfaced in which Trump says he can do whatever he wants with women—kiss them, “grab them by the pussy”—whatever he wants, because he’s “a star.” Near the start of the debate, moderator Anderson Cooper jumped in with the question many had been waiting for: “You bragged that you sexually assaulted women. Do you understand that?” Trump sidestepped the question and launched into a tirade about ISIS. His “debate prep” was just another ill-conceived attempt to gloss over the tape, this time on the backs of women.​

#TrumpRape 💥💣
1) "She" didn't get him off
2) Rapists served time
3) She didn't laugh at victim
4) YOU ARE A CRAZY LIAR@JasonKryske @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/Tj3c6gct6S

Trump’s campaign had originally planned on seating the four women—Paula Jones, Kathy Shelton, Juanita Broaddrick and Kathleen Willeyin the Trump family box at the Presidential debate with the goal of having them confront Bill. The plan was “close held,” according to the Washington Post, but foiled at the last moment when the Commission of Presidential Debates put a stop to it and said they would forcibly remove the women if they determined to enter the Trumps’ box.

It’s not clear whether the seating arrangement was the women’s idea or a suggestion from the Trump campaign, but this stunt and the press conference were a gross exploitation of women who have accused a powerful man of assault. These women are seeking justice and to have their voices heard, but Trump used that for his own gain. Though the GOP nominee may claim he’s calling attention to these women's plight, it’s a transparent attempt to distract from his hot mic scandal and the ensuing abandonment by the RNC and a variety of Republican Party elite.

Donald Trump introduces women in the #debate audience who accuse Bill Clinton of sexual assault while Hillary Clinton looks on. pic.twitter.com/O7QZW8mFkL

The women accusing Bill of sexual assault include Paula Jones (who Trump called "a loser" in 1998) and Juanita Broaddrick, who said: “I tweeted Mr. Trump recently, and he retweeted it, that actions speak louder than words. Mr. Trump may have said some bad words, but Bill Clinton raped me, and Hillary Clinton threatened me. I don’t think there’s any comparison.”

If we are to believe Broaddrick's accusations, we also must believe the words of Tiffany Doe.

We should take these and all accusations of sexual assault seriously, especially when leveled against someone in a position of power, but it should also be noted that Trump is dealing with rape accusations of his own. The Republican nominee is being brought to trial for rape allegations by a woman identified as Tiffany Doe, who says she was 13 years old at the time of the rape. If we are to believe Broaddrick's accusations, we also must believe the words of Tiffany Doe.

We should believe women, but we shouldn’t hold women accountable for the actions of men. Trump took advantage of these Bill Clinton's accusers for his own gain in a stunt, and it wasn’t to help them find justice—once again, it was all about him.

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