Donald Trump’s attempt to discredit the People Magazine writer who alleged that Trump forced himself on her is “a disgusting, pathetic attempt to victimize her again,” the magazine’s editor said Thursday.
“We are grateful to Natasha Stoynoff for telling her story. Ms. Stoynoff is a remarkable, ethical, honest and patriotic woman, and she has shared her story of being physically attacked by Donald Trump in 2005 because she felt it was her duty to make the public aware,” People editor Jess Cagle wrote.
“To assign any other motive is a disgusting, pathetic attempt to victimize her again,” she continued. “We stand steadfastly by her, and are proud to publish her clear, credible account of what happened.”
Stoynoff claimed Wednesday in an article on People Magazine’s website that Trump cornered her at his Mar-a-Lago estate while his wife Melania was changing outfits upstairs. She claims he forced himself on her and kissed her without her consent.
“It is heartbreaking that her fear of retaliation by Trump kept her from reporting the incident when it happened. She has carried this secret for more than a decade, and we hope that by coming forward now she is relieved of that burden,” the statement concludes.
At a rally in West Palm Beach, Florida on Thursday, Trump implied that he couldn’t have assaulted Stoynoff because he didn’t find her attractive.
“Take a look! You take a look. Look at her, look at her words. Tell me what you think. I don’t think so,” Trump said.
