Happy Monday to his public relations team...
The past few months have a seen a wave of shocking sexual harassment and abuse allegations against high profile names, from Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein to the Olympic gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.
Thanks to the Me Too and Time’s Up movements, women are feeling strong enough to speak out against their attackers and most importantly, trust that when they do, they will be believed, no matter how important the alleged abuser is, with Nassar now facing a 175 year prison sentence as a result.
Politicians and high profile names have been praising the ‘silence breakers’ with Hillary Clinton urging women to make their voices heard just last week, announcing: ‘I know at times it can be overwhelming, but every one of us has the power to hold people accountable.’
One person who doesn’t seem to agree however, is US president Donald Trump, who made his stance known over the weekend, taking to Twitter to call out the Me Too movement - you know, the campaign getting women justice.
This week saw the White House lose two employees, speechwriter David Sorensen and staff secretary Rob Porter, both accused of abuse. And while many politicians have been voicing their shock at the senior aides’ ‘appalling behaviour’, Trump took another tactic - defending them.
‘Peoples lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation,’ he announced to Twitter. ‘Some are true and some are false. Some are old and some are new.’
He continued: ‘There is no recovery for someone falsely accused - life and career are gone. Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?’
‘I found out about it recently and I was surprised by it,’ Trump explained of Rob Porter’s abuse allegations. ‘We certainly wish him well. It's obviously a very tough time for him. He did a very good job while he was in the White House.’
Unsurprisingly his response has been widely criticised, with former US Vice President Joe Biden insisting, ‘That's like saying, “That axe murderer out there, he's a great painter.”’
Today Jennie Willoughby, Rob Porter’s ex-wife published her account to Time.com, explaining how she won’t let Trump diminish her truth.
‘In light of the President's and the White House's continued dismissal of me and Colbie, I want to assure you my truth has not been diminished,’ she explained. ‘I own my story and now that I have been compelled to share it, I’m not willing to cover it up for anyone. And for any men, women, or children currently in situations of abuse, please know: It is real. You are not crazy. You are not alone. I believe you.’
We wouldn’t want to be the White House PR team right now.
