Stacey Williams, who recently alleged that Donald Trump groped her in 1993 while Jeffrey Epstein watched, is among approximately 27 women who have accused the former president of sexual misconduct.
Reporting by Axios writers Sareen Habeshian and Rebecca Falconer summarized the allegations of all 27 women, including most recently, Williams, who told the Washington Post that Trump’s actions occurred in Trump Tower, and she decided to speak out now because her story is featured in a documentary released this month.
Denial from the Trump Campaign
As with all previous accusations, the Trump campaign strongly denies the claims. Trump has not faced criminal charges related to sexual misconduct, though a jury in 2022 found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll in a civil case. The Trump campaign dismissed Williams’ account, with national press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating, “Every woman who actually knows President Trump knows he is generous and kind, and has put many women in positions of power in both business and politics.”
Leavitt accused Williams of fabricating her story and claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign was attempting to use the allegations as a distraction.
Historical Allegations of Misconduct
The accusations against Trump span decades and include allegations from former Miss USA and Miss Teen USA contestants, as well as multiple incidents at his properties and during his tenure as a businessman.
Miss USA and Teen Pageants
Several former contestants from Trump-owned beauty pageants have accused him of inappropriate behavior. In 1997, contestants from Miss Teen USA alleged Trump entered their dressing room unannounced while they were changing. Similar claims were made by contestants in the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, with reports of inappropriate comments and physical contact.
Mar-a-Lago Incidents
Multiple women have alleged incidents at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Natasha Stoynoff accused Trump of forcibly kissing her in 2005 during an interview for People magazine. Melinda McGillivray claimed Trump groped her at a 2003 party, while Karen Johnson alleged similar behavior at a New Year’s Eve party in the early 2000s.
Allegations from the 1990s
Numerous allegations stem from the 1990s, including claims from former models and business associates. Jill Harth accused Trump of groping her under a table during a dinner in 1992, while Kristin Anderson alleged that Trump touched her inappropriately at a Manhattan nightclub.
E. Jean Carroll and Legal Proceedings
E. Jean Carroll, a writer, accused Trump of raping her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. Although the jury did not find him liable for rape, they determined he had sexually abused and defamed her, awarding her millions in damages. Carroll later won an additional defamation case, resulting in an $83.3 million judgment against Trump.
Broader Context and Reaction
These allegations, along with Trump’s now-infamous 2005 Access Hollywood tape, have drawn significant public attention to his treatment of women. Despite the volume and consistency of accusations, Trump has maintained his innocence, dismissing all claims as politically motivated or false. Many of the women allege that speaking out has been met with personal attacks and public scrutiny, highlighting the broader challenges survivors face in seeking accountability.
With Election Day approaching, the resurfacing of these accusations serves as a stark reminder of the controversies surrounding Trump’s character and his treatment of women. Whether they will impact his political prospects remains to be seen. What is a certain is that regardless of the election outcome, advocacy groups will work tirelessly to improve the lives of survivors.