“Nobody has more respect for women than I do. Nobody,” said President Donald Trump at a presidential debate on Oct. 19, 2016.
The 2016 election pushed the boundaries of what was considered “presidential” behavior. Previously heinous and, dare I say, impeachable actions became routine news circling a certain candidate. The #MeToo movement is exposing the abusers in Hollywood, but that spotlight has failed to reach one of the notoriously accused abusers, just because he is President of the U.S.
Fall 2017 brought many groundbreaking allegations to light in Hollywood, as well. Producer Harvey Weinstein was dethroned after numerous sexual harassment allegations. One of the most powerful men in Hollywood was reduced to nothing because women had the courage to speak out after decades of hiding behind hush money. “Hollywood wannabes” endured harassment from Weinstein because they knew saying “no” could ruin their career.
Actor Kevin Spacey also fell from stardom after allegations from more than 15 men and boys of inappropriate behavior. He later used the narrative to come out of the closet as gay, enraging many who believed he was blaming his homosexuality for his actions.
Trump has 19 public accusers, including his ex-wife Ivana, who were brave enough to tell their stories. Yet, after repeat allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment, Trump managed to become the leader of the free world. He showed the country it really did not matter how horrific your past is, you too can become the most powerful person in the world with enough money and lawyers.
Trump victimized women who knew they did not have the power to refuse a wealthy real estate mogul. Pageant contestants like Mariah Billado and Tasha Dixon were walked in on in changing rooms and were told it was normal. If you were harassed by the owner of the pageant, snitching would surely have its consequences.
Cases like Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota, show that, with evidence like a photo, even America’s political elite can be held accountable for their actions. A photograph surfaced of Franken pretending to touch a sleeping women inappropriately. Franken resigned following the scandal, but did have a message to the Senate.
“I of all people am aware that there is some irony in the fact that I am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assault sits in the Oval Office, and a man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the Senate with the full support of his party,” Franken said.
Women, famous and otherwise, have outspokenly advocated for Hollywood’s elites to be held responsible for their actions. People like Franken, Weinstein and Spacey have lost jobs, money, fans and relationships over these allegations. But somehow, Trump gets away with it.
Denying more than 19 allegations, like Trump has, is incriminating to say the least. It is highly unlikely so many women would come forward with such specific and detailed accusations with witnesses and other evidence if their claims weren’t true. Claiming fake news and calling his accusers “liars” only highlights his guilt.
One would think that a voice recording of Trump bragging about harassment would be enough to at least open an investigation. Boasting about grabbing women by their private parts and forcibly kissing them is not “locker room talk.” It is an admission of guilt. Maybe investigators are too busy looking into every other part of the Trump administration and campaign. They must not have time at the moment to look into this, too.
Out of obligation to my right-wing readers who still believe Trump is a good guy and the victim in all of this, let’s talk about former President Bill Clinton. As most people know, Clinton became the second president to ever be impeached from presidential office in 1998, after the House of Representatives accused him of obstruction of justice and perjury in connection to an affair he had with intern Monica Lewinsky.
Yes, Clinton royally screwed up. But he faced the consequences. He was impeached and went through the shame of knowing he was unfaithful to his wife and family. Trump has openly had affairs on ex-wives and is accused of sexual harassment. He is lying to everyone about it. Yet, none of the steps that were taken in Clinton’s case are being taken now.
Time isn’t going to fix what happened to all the women Trump has abused. The #MeToo movement helped people come out with stories from decades ago, yet it still enacted the change that Hollywood needed. It is crucial for the #MeToo movement to be happening now, under an alleged perpetrator of sexual misconduct, because it is bringing awareness to powerful men taking advantage of their ability to manipulate and cover up their misconduct. The American people need to extend this scrutiny and awareness to our politics and hold leaders like Trump accountable.
Sarah Grobety is a 20-year-old mass communication junior from Atlanta, Georgia.
