On Thursday, a bombshell story was released detailing the sexual misconduct allegations against Republican senate candidate Roy Moore. In the hours after the story broke, Donald Trump finally decided to give his opinion.
Trump on Moore
Once it became clear that Donald Trump was going to become the new President of the United States, it didn't take long before his administration took shape. One spot that Trump filled was that of Attorney General, which is now run by former Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions. With Sessions in the cabinet, his seat in the senate was left vacant and is scheduled to be put up for a vote on December 12.
Roy Moore is the Republican nominee and will face off against his Democratic challenger Doug Jones. While it appeared that Moore would go on to win the race in the red state of Alabama, that all came to a halt after an article in the Washington Post on Thursday. According to the Washington Post, Moore has been accused of allegedly attempting to engage in sexual misconduct with underage women as young as 14-years-old. The first name to be released was Leigh Corfman, who claims that Moore "initiated a sexual encounter" with her back in 1979 when he was 32, and she was just 14. In addition, three other women came forward to the paper and said that when they were between the ages of 16 and 18 years old, Moore attempted similar behavior when he was employed at the district attorney's office.
Also in the story, the accusers claim Moore gave them alcohol, despite the legal drinking age at the time being 19. As expected backlash came quick, with Donald Trump and the White House giving their thoughts, as reported by Reuters on November 10.
JUST IN: White House says Donald Trump would want Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore to step aside if allegations against him are true pic.twitter.com/FnncXKEQRV
— Reuters U.S. News (@ReutersUS) November 10, 2017
While addressing reporters on Air Force One on Friday morning, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders went on the record to speak for herself and Donald Trump.
According to Sanders, Trump "believes if allegations are true he (Roy Moore) will do the right thing and step aside."
The Latest: Trump believes Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore will step aside if sexual misconduct charges true. https://t.co/XboSvjotOK
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 10, 2017
Despite this, Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Donald Trump appear to be giving themselves an out, while throwing Roy Moore a possible lifeline in the process.
"Like most Americans, the president believes we cannot allow a mere allegation, in this case one from many years ago, destroy a person's life," Trump said, via Sanders.
More @PressSec: "the president believes we cannot allow a mere allegation in this case one from many years ago to destroy a person’s life" https://t.co/NYyXjQZal8
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 10, 2017
Moore denies
As for Roy Moore , he has denied the allegations, instead blaming Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and the "liberal media" for the story going public. "The Obama-Clinton Machine's liberal media lapdogs just launched the most vicious and nasty round of attacks against me I've EVER faced!" Moore posted.
The Obama-Clinton Machine’s liberal media lapdogs just launched the most vicious and nasty round of attacks against me I’ve EVER faced!
— Judge Roy Moore (@MooreSenate) November 9, 2017
We are are in the midst of a spiritual battle with those who want to silence our message. (1/4) #ALSen
Twitter reacts
As expected, critics of Donald Trump were quick to fire back at the president's remarks.
"Roy Moore and Donald Trump are the same monster under different delusions," one tweet read.
Roy Moore and Donald Trump are the same monster under different delusions. #AlSen
— Aaron Sarka (@SarkaAaron) November 10, 2017
Said the one #predator to the other. #RoyMoore #DonaldTrump https://t.co/X3q1NLOWV2
— T.W (@isthisshizreal) November 10, 2017
"Said the one predator to the other," another tweet stated. "Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump: Has 14 women accuse him of sexual harassment and becomes president. Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore: Hold my beer," one Twitter user wrote.
Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump: Has 14 women accuse him of sexual harassment and becomes president.
— Jack Stasney (@JackStasney) November 10, 2017
Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore: Hold my beer.
reminder that if you're still defending roy moore EVEN FUCKING DONALD TRUMP IS REFUSING TO FUCKING DEFEND HIM https://t.co/agfduCKxws
— D I C K E A T E R (@Otterologist) November 10, 2017
If you "believe" the stories about the sexual misconduct of Bill Clinton, Harvey Weinstein, and Kevin Spacey, but refuse to believe the stories about Donald Trump and Roy Moore, you don't actually care about sexual assault victims. You're just a worthless political stooge.
— Cranbaery Sauce (@JobModeSD) November 10, 2017
"Hannity had been the voice of (DT) for the past couple of years.
Now he defends Roy Moore, a p*dophile. Time to shut him down!!" yet another tweet stated. As the negative reaction continued, it didn't take long before the opposition to the president and GOP increased.