Trump privately doubted Moore's female accusers
The president saw parallels between the Alabama candidate's situation and his own after the Access Hollywood video
President Donald Trump’s near-endorsement of Alabama Republican Roy Moore followed days of behind-the-scenes talks in which he vented about Moore’s accusers and expressed skepticism about their accounts.
During animated conversations with senior Republicans and White House aides, the president said he doubted the stories presented by Moore’s accusers and questioned why they were emerging now, just weeks before the election, according to two White House advisers and two other people familiar with the talks.
The White House advisers said the president drew parallels between Moore’s predicament and the one he faced just over a year ago when, during the final weeks of the 2016 campaign, Trump confronted a long line of women who accused him of harassment. He adamantly denied the claims.
The president’s private sentiments broke into the open Tuesday when Trump all but declared he believed Moore’s denials.
“Let me just tell you, Roy Moore denies it. That's all I can say. He denies it. And, by the way, he totally denies it,” Trump told reporters. Moore, 70, who has been accused of sexually pursuing — and in some cases assaulting — teenagers or young women when he was in his 30s.
As he departed Washington on Tuesday, Trump hinted that he was preparing to go all-in for the candidate.
Asked if he would campaign for the Alabama Republican, Trump responded: “I'll be letting you know next week.”
Trump privately doubted Moore's female accusers
trump and Moore are twin brothers