The sexual assault scandal that has surrounded Repubican Senate candidate Roy Moore has dominated the political headlines over the last month. While initially keeping quiet on the issue, Donald Trump has come out in support of Moore by spending time trashing his opponent.
Trump on Twitter
At the start of November, the Washington Post published their bombshell report that accused Roy Moore, Republican Senate nominee in Alabama, of attempting to engage in sexual activity with multiple underage women, with the oldest allegation dating back to 1979. The paper cited 30 different sources to back up their claims, with four women coming forward.
In the days that followed, several other women went public with their stories, including one accusing Moore of sexual assault when she was just 14-years-old. As expected, Moore denied the allegations, instead blaming the "liberal media" for taking part in an alleged smear attack on his campaign. The reaction from Republicans and the right-wing media has been mixed, with some in the party calling on Moore to drop out of the race, while others have come to his defense. For Donald Trump, the president initially kept quiet about the situation, but has since found a way to downplay Moore, but rip into his Democratic challenger Doug Jones, which continued with a pair of tweets on November 26.
The last thing we need in Alabama and the U.S. Senate is a Schumer/Pelosi puppet who is WEAK on Crime, WEAK on the Border, Bad for our Military and our great Vets, Bad for our 2nd Amendment, AND WANTS TO RAISES TAXES TO THE SKY. Jones would be a disaster!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 26, 2017
Taking to Twitter on November 26, Donald Trump decided to publicly support Roy Moore by targeting his opponent.
"The last thing we need in Alabama and the U.S. Senate is a Schumer/Pelosi puppet," Trump tweeted. The president went on to refer to Doug Jones as "WEAK on Crime, WEAK on the Border, Bad for our Military and our great Vets, Bad for our 2nd Amendment, AND WANTS TO RAISES TAXES TO THE SKY." Not stopping there, Trump then labeled Jones a "disaster!"
I endorsed Luther Strange in the Alabama Primary. He shot way up in the polls but it wasn’t enough. Can’t let Schumer/Pelosi win this race. Liberal Jones would be BAD!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 26, 2017
In a follow up tweet- Donald Trump continued to ignore Roy Moore by name, but decided to double down on his attack on Doug Jones.
"I endorsed Luther Strange in the Alabama Primary. He shot way up in the polls but it wasn’t enough," the president posted, while adding, "Can’t let Schumer/Pelosi win this race. Liberal Jones would be BAD!"
Twitter reacts
Within seconds of Donald Trump's tweet about the Alabama Senate race, critics of the president were quick to lash out.
"LOL. Your endorsement failed then," one tweet read.
It's obvious that you and Moore have a lot in common, like having an attraction to underaged girls. SICKO!
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) November 26, 2017
The same people in #AL that were screaming about trans people using the restroom of their choice are going to cast their vote for a child predator. These are not values voters. These are cult members, frauds and white supremacists.
— ❌ TrumpLies ❌ (@JustTheJune0101) November 26, 2017
"It's obvious that you and Moore have a lot in common, like having an attraction to underaged girls. SICKO!" a Twitter user wrote. "And a p*dophile that lies would be worse. But I understand why YOU wouldn't think that was egregious," yet another tweet added.
Endorsing child molesters and ending indigent children's Medicare! Why? So your wallet can grow? We need women in congress. Now!
— Sara Spector (@Miriam2626) November 26, 2017
And a pedophile that lies would be worse. But I understand why YOU wouldn't think that was egregious. #PresidentLiar
— Bob Hope (@BobHope2003) November 26, 2017
Basic morality takes precedence over your disagreements with Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. Do what's right and just call for everyone to make a write-in choice for another Republican whom you support who isn't facing child abuse allegations.
— Savannah (@leftytgirl) November 26, 2017
"Endorsing child molesters and ending indigent children's Medicare! Why? So your wallet can grow? We need women in congress. Now!" an additional tweet noted. The backlash to Donald Trump continued as the Alabama Senate race inches closer.