First, President Donald Trump declared April Sexual Assault Awareness month—to howls from those who recalled his own alleged record of sexual assault. Now, days later, it is Trump’s defense of Fox News anchor Bill O’Reilly, amid revelations that it took $13 million to settle sexual harassment claims against the Fox News anchor by five women, that has critics choking.
“I don’t think Bill did anything wrong,” Trump told The New York Times on Wednesday, adding that O’Reilly “shouldn’t have settled.” “I think he’s a person I know well — he is a good person.”
Many on Twitter were quick to point out that Trump has no credibility on the question of O’Reilly’s behavior as Trump himself has been accused of sexual misconduct by at least 12 women. Among his accusers is former PEOPLE writer Natasha Stoynoff, who alleged last year that Trump attacked her at Mar-a-Lago in 2005, while she was covering his first wedding anniversary with wife Melania.
The president has repeatedly and vehemently denied the allegations against him.
Others on Twitter referenced Trump’s leaked comments from 2005, in which he bragged to Billy Bush that he can grab women “by the pussy” because he is a celebrity. When the hot mic footage surfaced amid the 2016 presidential election, Trump dismissed his remarks as “locker room talk.”
Here’s a sampling of what some critics are saying now:
"A man who bragged about committing sexual assault & 'grabbing them by the pussy' is defending Bill O'Reilly. Enough said." –@KaylieEHanson https://t.co/tvEIBzT3A3
— NARAL (@NARAL) April 5, 2017
6 days ago, Trump proclaimed April “National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month”
Today Trump defended Bill O'Reilly pic.twitter.com/YNl0ujUZ2B
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) April 5, 2017
Trump discussing Bill O' Reilly's sexual harassment is kinda like President Assad discussing the evils of chemical weapon use.
— Erik Bransteen (@erikbransteen) April 5, 2017
"Blood coming out of her whatever"
"Pig"
"Grab her by the p*ssy""Nobody respects women more than me!"
-Trump…who defends Bill O'Reilly
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) April 5, 2017
Donald Trump supports Bill O'Reilly? Next they will team up with Bill Cosby to start a sex offenders support group.
— The Resistance (@TheGayHumanist) April 5, 2017
Sexual predator Trump defends serial sexual abuser Bill O'Reilly to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month pic.twitter.com/G0w0MWlIZF
— Pat Bagley (@Patbagley) April 5, 2017
@nytimes just like Trump never violated the rights of women or girls either….
— Scott Ritter (@scottritter12) April 5, 2017
Trump defends Bill O'Reilly: 'I don't think Bill did anything wrong'. Of course you don't. You're just like him. https://t.co/WYc9gx2L9O
— Steve Redmond (@sjredmond) April 5, 2017
RELATED VIDEO: Watch: Natasha Stoynoff Breaks Silence, Accuses Donald Trump of Sexual Attack
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The president faced similar backlash last week when he proclaimed April Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
"And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the pussy."- Donald Trump, the man who also said this: pic.twitter.com/QtRxL4gEk5
— O General My General (@rideatdawn) March 31, 2017
JUST IN: Trump proclaims April "National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month" https://t.co/L9htw01LMp pic.twitter.com/X1t0LsACLo
— The Hill (@thehill) March 31, 2017
I wonder if Trump would encourage this same support of the 16 women who have publicly accused him of sexual assault pic.twitter.com/QEYjGB0fCP
— Emma Gray (@emmaladyrose) March 31, 2017
Of course, Trump’s alleged misconduct didn’t stop him from becoming president.
But O’Reilly’s popular Fox News show is already suffering.
At least 31 companies have now pulled their ads from ‘The O’Reilly Factor’ or don't plan new ad buys https://t.co/QnSAQdN4Az pic.twitter.com/xEXGtvJtst
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) April 5, 2017
After The New York Times reported O’Reilly paid five women a total of about $13 million to settle claims of sexual harassment or other inappropriate behavior, at least 31 companies have pulled their ads from The O’Reilly Factor or don’t plan to buy new ads.
O’Reilly has denied the allegations against him.