Leeds described feeling violated and traumatized by the encounter.She alleged that Trump later mocked and verbally harassed her throughout a subsequent assembly, saying, “I bear in mind you,” adopted by a derogatory time period.
She criticized Trump’s perceived disregard for ladies and mentioned, “The underside line is that he doesn’t perceive that he’s a sexual predator.” Leeds added, “He assaulted me 50 years in the past and he continues to assault me right now.” She additionally mentioned she is deciding whether or not to sue him.
When requested whether or not she’ll pursue authorized motion in opposition to Trump associated to his newest feedback, Leeds informed CNN that “we’re leaving all of our choices open.” “However no, my purpose after I was requested to testify at E. Jean’s trial was to ascertain that that is his conduct, longstanding, and I’ve nothing to achieve from it,” she mentioned.
She mentioned that “it’s vital to remind the voters of Trump’s disrespect of girls.” “I used to be not the primary, after all I used to be not the final. However there have been sufficient in order that he doesn’t bear in mind,” Leeds mentioned, reported CNN.
The allegations resurfaced prominently after Trump made controversial remarks on Friday, which Leeds labeled as “weird.” Reflecting on the scenario, Leeds admitted, “I need to admit I did snicker. It’s a bit spooky and a bit tough to course of. He does appear to be type of obsessed. However right here I’m.”
Leeds first publicly disclosed her accusation in 2016 through the presidential marketing campaign, telling The New York Instances that Trump groped her on a New York-bound flight.
She reportedly additional detailed the alleged assault in 2023 through the federal trial of author E. Jean Carroll, describing a disturbing scene: “He was grabbing my breasts… It was a tussling match between the 2 of us.”
Leeds additionally recounted a later encounter with Trump at a charity fundraiser, the place he reportedly taunted her with the remark, “I bear in mind you. You are that cunt from the airplane.” She described this as a humiliating expertise.
Trump, nevertheless, vehemently denied ever understanding Leeds and dismissed her claims. “Consider the impracticality of this,” he argued. “I’m well-known, I’m in a aircraft, and I seize her and begin kissing her? What are the possibilities of that taking place? And admittedly, I do know you’re going to say it’s a horrible factor to say, but it surely couldn’t have occurred. It didn’t occur.”
Trump additionally advised the allegations had been politically motivated, saying, “It is a disgraceful case… It’s disgraceful specifically as a result of it’s a few former president of america who’s now main within the polls to be the president once more and that is being labored with the DOJ, as are all of those instances.”
The stark distinction between Leeds’ detailed account and Trump’s denial continues to gas a contentious public debate as either side brace for additional developments.
