Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump used the word “rape” Wednesday to describe alleged sexual misconduct by former President Bill Clinton, reviving the most serious claim of womanizing leveled against the husband of his likely Democratic rival.
The remark by Mr. Trump, made during an interview on Fox News, followed through on his vow to retaliate against attacks on his relationships with women by delving into the numerous allegations of philandering leveled against Hillary Clinton’s husband.
When the interview turned to a recent The New York Times article that harshly depicting Mr. Trump’s treatment of women, the real estate tycoon said that Mr. Clinton had done much worse.
“It’s not like the worst things, OK,” Mr. Trump said of his actions. “You look at what Clinton’s gone through with all of the problems and all of the things that he’s done.”
“In one case, it’s about exposure. In another case, it’s about groping and fondling and touching against a woman’s will,” added Fox News host Sean Hannity.
“And rape,” responded Mr. Trump.
He was referring to allegations by Juanita Broaddrick, a nurse who claims then-state Attorney General Bill Clinton raped her at a Little Rock hotel in 1978.
Clinton campaign spokesman Nick Merrill responded in a statement: “Trump is doing what he does best, attacking when he feels wounded and dragging the American people through the mud for his own gain. If that’s the kind of campaign he wants to run, that’s his choice.”
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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