First lady Melania Trump said victims who make accusations of sexual misconduct “need to have really hard evidence” in a recently taped interview, echoing a statement she made in October 2016 amid allegations against her husband.
“If you accuse (someone) of something, show the evidence,” Trump said in a sit-down interview with ABC News that took place in Kenya last week during her first major solo trip to Africa.
Trump also said she supports women, but she echoed her husband, President Donald Trump, adding that men need to be supported, too.
“I support the women and they need to be heard,” said Trump. “We need to support them and, you know, also men, not just women.”
She added that women who come forward as victims should be prepared to back up their claims.
“I do stand with women, but we need to show the evidence. You cannot just say to somebody, ‘I was sexually assaulted,’ or, ‘You did that to me,’ because sometimes the media goes too far, and the way they portray some stories it’s, it’s not correct, it’s not right,” said Trump.
During the 2016 presidential campaign, at least 13 women accused Donald Trump of misbehavior ranging from sexual harassment to sexual assault. They came forward in the wake of a 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape that was released in October 2016 in which he is caught saying on a hot mic: “And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. … Grab them by the p***y. You can do anything.” Read more