Melania Trump says she accepts her husband’s apology in the wake of a recently-released 2005 tape that shows Donald Trump making lewd comments about women, and says she believes him when he denies recent allegations from women that he inappropriately touched them years ago.
“He apologized. I accept his apology. I hope the American people will accept it well,” Mrs. Trump told CNN’s Anderson Cooper this week. “And it was many, many years ago. He’s not the man that I know.”
Since the release of the tape, on which Mr. Trump is heard bragging about the ability to make unwanted advances on women because of his celebrity status, a number of women have accused Mr. Trump of inappropriate touching or kissing years ago — charges Mr. Trump has steadfastly denied.
“I believe my husband. I believe my husband,” Mrs. Trump said. “This was all organized from the opposition and with the details that they go — did they ever — did they ever check the background of these women? They don’t have any facts.”
Mrs. Trump said then-“Access Hollywood” TV host Billy Bush, who also could be heard on the tape, was egging her husband on.
“Yeah, it’s kind of two teenage boys. Actually, they should behave better, right?” she said.
Mr. Cooper said Mr. Trump was 59 years old at the time.
“Correct. And sometimes I said I have two boys at home. I have my young son, and I have my husband,” she said. “But I know how some men talk and that’s how I saw it, yes.”
Mrs. Trump said that going forward, she wants to try to inform children about some of the negativity that happens through social media.
“Well, my passion is the same — helping children, and helping women. And also I see now in 21st century, the social media, it’s very damaging for the children,” she said. “We need to guide them and teach them about social media because I see a lot of negativity on it and we need to help them.”
“A lot of bullying,” she said.
She said she does tell Mr. Trump not to tweet so much, but said it’s his decision and he’s an adult and he knows the consequences.
“And he will do what he wants to do on the end, as I will do what I want to do,” she said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.