We always knew Donald Trump would come out swinging after a video showed the truth of his vulgar views of women over the weekend, but we never thought he would go this low, or that his underlying message would have such an outdated sexist clarity to it.
But if there’s one thing we should know to expect from The Donald by now, it’s to not expect much at all. Not even the minimum level of human understanding or decency.
Appearing at a press conference just hours ahead of the second presidential debate on Sunday, Donald Trump was joined by four women – three who allege they were sexually assaulted by Bill Clinton, and one whose alleged sexual attacker was defended by Hillary Clinton.
Donald Trump during the first presidential debate. Source: Getty.
The press conference lasted just three and a half minutes and allowed for no questions from the media.
Obviously, there's nothing trivial about the allegations these women are making. They're serious, and they should not be silenced or swept under the rug.
But Hillary Clinton is not Bill Clinton. Hillary Clinton did not commit sexual assault, and has not been accused of sexual assault.
Trump is using Hillary Clinton husband's behaviour against her, as though she is in some way directly and personally responsible for his actions. It is misogynistic and seriously misguided.
Trump's press conference ahead of the presidential debate. Post continues...
By attempting to tar Hillary with the same brush as Bill, Trump continues to pledge allegiance to the outdated trope of pushing a woman aside to look around for the man of the house to engage in debate with.
But while he stupidly looks for the man of the house to sling mud at, Hillary is busy debating for the most distinguished house in the country.
Hillary Clinton during the first presidential debate. Source: Getty.
Irrespective of what side you sit on, these are the facts:
In 1991, Donald Trump was accused of raping his then-wife, Ivana Trump.
In 1994, he was accused of raping a child aged just 13 years old.
In 1996, he was accused of calling that year's Miss Universe winner, Alicia Machado "Miss Piggy" and "Miss Housekeeping." When she gained what he felt was too much weight, he invited members of the press to shoot her working out.
In 1997, he was accused of attempting to rape Jill Harth.
And now a video reveals that in 2005, he was recorded telling Billy Bush, "You know, I’m automatically attracted to beautiful [women]. I just start kissing them. (Post continues after gallery.)
Some of Donald Trump's most outrageous tweets.
"It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it.
You can do anything... Grab ’em by the p*ssy.
"You can do anything."
When he made these comments, he had recently married his current wife, Melania.
Donald Trump during the debate. Source: Facebook.
Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, has never been accused of, or caught on tape admitting to, assaulting anyone.
So why is she being forced to answer for her husband?
Most probably, it's because Trump fundamentally believes that a woman's place is behind the man she marries.
That, if she can't keep her husband in line, how will she ever keep the nation in line?
That a woman's lot in life is to carry the burden of her husband's bad decisions.
Hillary Clinton during the most recent debate. Source: Getty.
Following the conference, Clinton's representatives released a short but succinct statement addressing the matter.
"We're not surprised to see Donald Trump continue his destructive race to the bottom," the statement read.
"Hillary Clinton understands the opportunity in this town hall is to talk to voters and on stage and in the audience about the issues that matter to them, and this stunt doesn't change that. If Donald doesn't see that, that's his loss.
"As always, she's prepared to handle whatever Donald Trump throws her way."
It's clear that Hillary Clinton is not her husband. She's a viable candidate for the presidency of the United States.
But that then begs the question, who the hell is Donald Trump?
Top Comments
Hilary has some things to answer for. Like why she stood by a man who used his position to coerce young women into sex and who has been accused of rape, also. Like why she tried to shame the women Bill had sex with. And the whole email thing. This woman either doesn't know how emails work or lied and covered up. Neither of these two people are good leaders. Both are corrupt.
I kinda don't have sympathy for the women who slept with Bill. They KNEW he was a married man, they KNEW they would be playing with fire sleeping with someone so powerful. I don't blame Hillary AT ALL for shaming them - they made a choice to sleep with a high-profile married man, what did they think was going to happen? I'd be shaming any woman who slept with my husband - it wouldn't make the headlines of course, but it's a home wrecking bitchy selfish act.
They were all young women who were being seduced by the most powerful man in the world. He used his power to get women to have sex with him and I wonder how much of it was really consensual, vs I might lose my job if I don't sleep with this man.
But yeah, I see where you are coming from.
One actually said that he forceably raped them.
I still don't get the Bill Clinton was unfaithful let's blame Hilary thing
It's because of her comments about the women he had sex with. Calling Monica a narcissistic loony toon for a start.
Yeah definitely. It's a false equivalence.
Makes no difference now, the GOP screwed up with Trump. The President, Congress and Supreme Court will all go blue.
Oh yes, the GOP has got an omelet on their face. Usually they can filter out the loonies and pick someone half decent. But this time their credibility has gone out the window