Donald Trump, in his signature fashion, took center-stage on Friday, yet again ruffling feathers by reviving numerous past allegations of sexual misconduct. This move, arguably calculated to remind voters of lesser-known episodes of controversy, came shortly after he appeared in court to appeal a sexual abuse judgment. Known for his rebuttal tactics, Trump’s Manhattan tower address took things a notch higher, pushing the boundaries of his trademark contentious stance.
In a rather candid display, Trump seemed to revel in offering detailed accounts of the lawsuit led by advice columnist E. Jean Carroll. This could potentially pile on more legal pressures, courtesy of Carroll’s attorneys. What added to the intrigue was the timing of these statements – a mere four days before his much-anticipated debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, with early voting just around the corner.
In a display of contrast, Kamala Harris chose to stay away from the public eye, going into hibernation for debate prep with her aid team in Pittsburgh. While Trump built on his strategy of frequent press interactions, Harris remained relatively inaccessible, holding no news conferences and engaging in only a single interview since being appointed Biden’s successor as the Democratic presidential candidate.
While Trump’s side attempted to project Friday’s appearance as a press conference, the former president notably steered clear of answering questions. Instead, he opted for an hour-long discussion of the allegations against him, with scant mention of policy issues relevant to his campaign. ‘Suddenly, as I run for president, I find myself surrounded by these fake lawsuits,’ he lamented.
Trump rode the wave of his previous indictments, convictions, and court appearances to raise massive campaign funds. But how this increased focus on his legalistic struggles will score points with undecided voters—particularly as he courts independents and swing-state skeptics—remains an open question. Regardless, all eyes will be on Tuesday’s crucial debate, which is projected to attract scores of viewers from across the nation.
Trump’s strategy to regain political momentum by dusting off old allegations parallels his 2016 campaign narrative. He famously brushed off recordings that captured his derogatory comments about women as mere ‘locker room talk.’ Yet, standing inside the Trump Tower, the former president seemed to switch gears, hinting that fame had rendered him an easy target for such accusations.
He reminisiced about his recognition during the 1970s and detailed work in real estate and construction throughout the 1980s—all periods unfamiliar to many of today’s voters. At one juncture, he compared New York Post’s ‘Page Six’—which has written about him for decades—to the internet of its time. To add to the litigation discussion, he labeled the Carroll case as ‘Monica Lewinsky Part II,’ alluding to President Bill Clinton’s widely publicized scandal.
The former president categorically denied the accusations of sexual misconduct leveled against him by two women, attributing the rebuttal to their appearance—a tactic that might raise eyebrows even amongst his supporters. ‘Neither of these women would have been my choice,’ he stated, referring to the woman who claimed he misbehaved on a plane in the 1970s and Carroll.
Harris, who has often highlighted Trump’s dubious records as an adversary, remained silent on Friday as she focused on preparing for the upcoming debate. The former attorney general has shaped her campaign to prosecute the case against Trump, and the charges he bizarrely brought to light could give her additional ammunition—although how effective this will be, given her limited public engagement, is uncertain.
Trump’s campaign team and his staunch followers have implored him to concentrate on political differences with Harris as opposed to personal bans. Yet while they were persuading Republican Congress members that the media had been unjustly lenient on Harris, Trump stood surrounded by his lawyers, offering a hardlined defense.
Earlier that day, Trump attended court to listen to his attorneys argue for the repeal of a jury’s verdict that found him liable for sexual abuse against Carroll in 1996. He’s had to pay out substantial amounts to Carroll twice now, following his accusations that she fabricated a story about him attacking her in a store dressing room. Yet, paradoxically, Trump continues to make similar allegations to the media.
Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, has previously warned Trump against persistent denial, stating she would consider filing another lawsuit if he continued. Simultaneously, Trump finds himself in an unprecedentedly precarious position as he faces multiple criminal and civil charges.
In addition to the issues with Carroll, Trump has been found guilty on 34 felony accounts in a New York state case regarding alleged hush money payments to an adult film star. Following Friday’s pre-trial proceedings, the judge declared that sentencing would be postponed until after Election Day.
Trump has also been fined heavily for routinely inflating his wealth—a deceit that was part of his public image for years. Although he’s primarily wrestled with accusations concerning the mishandling of classified documents, post-election behavior, and involvement in the violent Capitol incursion on January 6, 2021, none of these cases are expected to come to court before the upcoming election.
Despite having to address these substantial accusations, Trump seems undeterred and continues on his campaign trail. As the dramas unfold and the election nears, our focus now shifts to whether his combative approach will serve him well in the upcoming debate, and ultimately, the election.