The Republican Party continues to be rocked by the already-infamous recording of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and former Access Hollywood co-anchor Billy Bush having a lewd — to say the least — conversation about women. Trump and running mate Mike Pence were dealt another blow on Oct. 13 when First Lady Michelle Obama, without even mentioning Trump’s name, delivered a speech condemning his comments and making a case for Hillary Clinton as the next president.
“Strong men, men who are truly role models, don’t need to put women down to make themselves feel powerful,” Obama said. “People who are truly strong lift others up.”
Pence has come to Trump’s defense, expressing his confusion at the first lady’s comments.
“I don’t understand the basis of her claim,” Pence said in an interview on CBS This Morning. “I already spoke about my concerns about the language he used in that 11-year-old video. What he’s made clear is that was talk, regrettable talk on his part, but that there were no actions.”
Following the release of the “bus tape” almost two weeks ago, allegations emerged from several women, including Miss USA and The Apprentice contestants, claiming Trump kissed, groped, or grabbed them without their consent. In a 2005 interview with Howard Stern, Trump admitted to visiting the dressing rooms of Miss USA contestants unannounced.
“I’m allowed to go in because I’m the owner of the pageant and therefore I’m inspecting it,” Trump said. “I want to make sure everything is good, the dresses. ‘Is everybody OK?’ You know, they’re standing there with no clothes.”
Pence calls the latest onslaught of allegations unsubstantiated and remains confident that further evidence will show that the claims are false.
“It is interesting that the same reporters who wrote a similar story six months ago for The New York Times wrote this story, and that story was completely discredited,” Pence said. “There’s more information that’s gonna be coming out that will back his claim that this is all categorically false.”
The claims are likely to be a significant talking point in the final presidential debate tonight.
