Trump Defends Sexual Harassment

[Content Note: Sexual harassment; rape culture.]

I've got a new piece up at BNR about Donald Trump's latest disgusting garbage:

When Fox News' Kirsten Powers followed up with Donald during a phone interview, she asked what if an employer treated Donald's daughter Ivanka the way Ailes had allegedly treated his female employees. Powers said "his reply was startling, even by Trumpian standards."

And so it is: "I would like to think she would find another career or find another company if that was the case," he replied.

Let's be crystal clear about what Donald is saying – and not saying – here. He is not saying that a man who sexually harasses his female employees should be fired, nor even held accountable in any way. He is also not saying that sexual harassment is wrong.

To the absolute contrary, Donald is saying that a woman who is being sexually harassed should leave her job – or "find another career" altogether (!) – rather than report sexual harassment and, as Donald would presumably see it, "destroy a man's life."

Even his own daughter should simply upend her entire life and career in order to protect a man who was sexually harassing her.

There is, quite literally, no end to this man's defense of abusive behavior toward women.

There's more at the link.

Meanwhile, one of his mini-me sons says: "I think what he's saying is, Ivanka is a strong, powerful woman, she wouldn't allow herself to be objected to it, and by the way, you should take it up with Human Resources, and I think she would as a strong person, at the same time, I don't think she would allow herself to be subjected to that. I think that's a point he was making, and I think he did so well."

1. No, that was clearly not the point he was making.

2. Being "a strong, powerful woman" does not inoculate a woman against sexual harassment, but charming victim-blaming.

This whole family. Good grief.