To hear Donald Trump tell it, the smattering of accusations that he has touched or kissed women forcibly have all been thoroughly debunked. The women who've made the claims, he says, are “liars” who, on Saturday, Trump pledged to sue.
In reality, none of the claims of the women who are accusing him of inappropriate behavior — behavior that Trump described in that now infamous “Access Hollywood” tape from 2005 — have been debunked. Trump and his supporters have tried to cast doubt on the women's claims, but without success.
Below is a list of the accusations levied against Trump since the 2005 tape came out — and since Trump, in the second presidential debate, denied having forcibly kissed or groped women. In no case is there substantial proof that the accusations are false. In each case, the behavior comports with what Trump said in the hot-mic tape. In most cases, the media spoke with friends or family of the accusers who said they'd heard the allegations at the time they occurred — or at least well before Trump began running for office.
We've listed them below in order of when the assaults allegedly occurred.
Jessica Leeds
Incident allegedly occurred: Early 1980s. Reported: Oct. 12.
While on a flight from the Midwest to New York, Leeds was sitting next to Trump in first class when, she says, he began fondling her.
Corroboration: Leeds, with whom the New York Times spoke, told people after the incident occurred, long before Trump ran for president.
Trump campaign response: With much fanfare, Trump's lawyers released a letter demanding that the New York Times story be taken down. The Times demurred.
The New York Post also published a story from a British man who says that he was on the flight with Trump and Leeds as a teenager and that the incident didn't occur. The witness has made other claims that earned him press attention, including that he used to procure young men for members of Parliament to sleep with.
Other comments from Trump: “She would not be my first choice.”
Kristin Anderson
Incident allegedly occurred: Early 1990s. Reported: Oct. 14.
Anderson says that she was at a nightclub when Trump reached up her skirt and touched her vagina through her underwear.
Corroboration: Anderson told friends at the time.
Trump campaign response: “One came out recently where I was sitting alone in some club,” Trump said at a rally. “I really don’t sit alone that much. Honestly, folks, I don’t think I sit alone.”
Jill Harth
Incident allegedly occurred: 1992. Reported: April 17.
At a dinner at Manhattan's Oak Room, Trump allegedly groped Harth, with whom he had a business relationship. The next month at Trumpo's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, he allegedly pulled her into one of his children's bedrooms and groped her.
Corroboration: The claims were detailed in a lawsuit Harth filed against Trump.
Cathy Heller
Incident allegedly occurred: 1997. Reported: Oct. 16.
At a brunch at Mar-a-Lago, Trump allegedly grabbed Heller and tried to kiss her on the mouth.
Corroboration: Yes, by members of her family who were present.
Temple Taggart McDowell
Incident allegedly occurred: 1997. Reported: Oct. 13.
Trump allegedly hugged and kissed Taggart McDowell on the mouth in front of chaperons for the Miss USA pageant.
Corroboration: Yes, by the chaperons.
Karena Virginia
Incident allegedly occurred: 1998. Reported: Oct. 20.
Virginia says Trump made comments about her appearance and touched her breast while waiting for a car at the U.S. Open.
Corroboration: Virginia told her husband shortly after it happened.
Trump campaign response: From a spokeswoman: “Voters are tired of these circus-like antics and reject these fictional stories and the clear efforts to benefit Hillary Clinton.”
Mindy McGillivray
Incident allegedly occurred: 2003. Reported: Oct. 12.
Trump allegedly grabbed McGillivray's bottom during an event at Mar-a-Lago.
Corroboration: McGillivray told her business partner at the time.
Rachel Crooks
Incident allegedly occurred: 2005. Reported: Oct. 12.
Crooks says that Trump ran into her outside a Trump Tower elevator and kissed her on the mouth.
Corroboration: Crooks told her boyfriend at the time.
Trump campaign response: As above, Trump's lawyers released a letter demanding that the New York Times story be taken down. The Times didn't do so.
Natasha Stoynoff
Incident allegedly occurred: 2005. Reported: Oct. 12.
At Mar-a-Lago to write a profile of Trump and his wife on their anniversary, Trump allegedly followed Stoynoff into a room and forcibly kissed her. Stoynoff said Trump's actions were interrupted when Trump's longtime butler entered the room.
Corroboration: Stoynoff told co-workers at the time.
Trump campaign response: “This never happened,” a statement from a Trump spokeswoman read. “There is no merit or veracity to this fictional story. Why wasn’t this reported at the time? Mr. Trump was the biggest star on television and surely this would have been a far bigger scoop for People magazine. This is nothing but a politically motivated fictional pile-on.”
Trump's former butler told the Palm Beach Post that the incident never happened. Melania Trump also asked for particular details to be removed from the article.
Other comments from Trump: “Take a look. Look at her,” Trump said at a rally. “Look at her words. And you tell me what you think. I don't think so.”
Jessica Drake
Incident allegedly occurred: 2006 Reported: Oct. 22
Drake, an adult-film actress, says she was offered $10,000 to come to Trump's hotel suite after Trump kissed her and two other women without permission. She offered a photo of herself with Trump.
Trump campaign response: “This story is totally false and ridiculous,” a campaign statement read. “The picture is one of thousands taken out of respect for people asking to have their picture taken with Mr. Trump. Mr. Trump does not know this person, does not remember this person and would have no interest in ever knowing her.”
Allies of Trump's have noted that Drake set up an online store shortly before going public with her story.
Other comments from Trump: “Oh, I'm sure she's never been grabbed before.”
Summer Zervos
Incident allegedly occurred: 2007 Reported: Oct. 14
Trump allegedly forcibly kissed Zervos and grabbed her breasts during a private meeting at a hotel.
Trump campaign response: “I vaguely remember Ms. Zervos as one of the many contestants on The Apprentice over the years,” a statement read. “To be clear, I never met her at a hotel or greeted her inappropriately a decade ago. That is not who I am as a person, and it is not how I’ve conducted my life.”
Trump also posted a statement from Zervos's cousin in which he sought to cast doubt on her claim.
She was fired from “The Apprentice” for interrupting Trump.
Did we miss anything? Let us know.
