Donald Trump seems willing to do or say just about anything to become the President of the United States. He continues to slander his opponents in order to discredit their campaigns, and in the process, he has made some very serious allegations. The latest is his use of the word “rape” against former President Bill Clinton, husband to the potential Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton.
Bill Clinton’s name is associated with a very widely known sex scandal – he confessed to having an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky during his presidency. In the wake of this exposure, three other women came forward, accusing Clinton of “sexual misconduct”: Juanita Broaddrick, Paula Jones, and Kathleen Willey. Donald Trump was in the middle of an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News when he brought up Clinton’s checkered past: presumably, as a means of deflecting Hannity’s questions regarding the Republican candidate’s relationships with women.
“By the way … it’s not like the worst things, okay,” Trump defended. “You look at what Clinton’s gone through will all of the problems and all the things that he’s done.”
On Saturday, May 14, The New York Times published an article that brought to light Trump’s past affiliations with various women. The writing was hardly complimentary. The opening line of the article is, “Donald J. Trump had barely met Rowanne Brewer Lane when he asked her to change out of her clothes.” It paints him as misogynistic, manipulative, and crass. Nothing about the editorial was particularly flattering for Trump, so he appeared keen to avoid questions on the subject. Hannity seemed to take the bait.
“In one case, it’s about exposure. In another case, it’s about groping and fondling and touching against a woman’s will,” the host said.
“And rape,” Trump added.
“And rape.” Hannity repeated after his guest.
Trump’s use of the word “rape” escalated the conversation to an entirely different level, but he didn’t stop there. He brought up details of Clinton’s impeachment. “You know, [Clinton] lost his law license, okay? He couldn’t practice law. And you don’t read about this…” Temporarily, Clinton lost his license in Arkansas. This was something he agreed to as a part of his plea in the Monica Lewinsky settlement.
In smearing former President Bill Clinton in the press, it is likely that Donald Trump hopes to reflect shame onto Hillary Clinton’s campaign. He could be trying to remind the American population of Bill Clinton’s past misdeeds, so that voters are less inclined to vote for the former Secretary of State, who has made it very clear that her husband will be an active member of her administration. Trump has called the former President “the worst abuser of women in the history of politics”, and has accused Hillary of being an “enabler”. The Clintons remain unaffected, however: a spokesman, Nick Merrill, responded to Trump’s words.
“Trump is doing what he does best …” Merrill said. “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.”
Hillary Clinton remains focused on her own campaign. When asked about Trump’s disparaging comments, she refused to respond, telling the media she had “nothing to say” about Donald Trump “and how he’s running his campaign.” Trump will continue to throw mud at his opponents, and hope that something sticks. In the meantime, his victims will pay attention to the politics.
