Trump ends interviews after asked about racism, sexual harassment
More than 70 million people watched the final presidential debate Wednesday in Las Vegas, making it the third most-watched presidential debate of all time.
In Ohio Thursday, Trump refused again to say he’ll accept the election results if he’s defeated.
In Pennsylvania, Trump hasn’t led in a poll and the states’ 20 electoral votes are crucial. But when Trump campaigns here Friday, he will still be contending with the fallout from his rigged election charges, plus a new accusation of sexual harassment, reports CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds.
“You’ve been labeled a racist, you’ve been called a sexist…” a WCMH-TV reporter asked Trump.
“Thank you very much,” Trump said as he began to walk away.
“How do you respond to that?” the reporter asked.
Trump turned around and responded, “I am the least racist person you’ve ever met.”
Walking out of interviews is seldom a sign of a successful campaign, but Donald Trump broke off two of them Thursday.
“Another woman came out today about the U.S. Open and how you groped her, today. Can you answer allegations about that?” asked a WBNS-TV reporter.
“I know nothing about that,” Trump said as he began to walk away.
“About the U.S. Open allegations?” the reporter asked.
“No, I know nothing,” Trump said, pleading ignorance about yet another accusation of public groping.
“Then his hand touched the right inside of my breast,” said Karena Virginia, a yoga instructor who came forward Thursday, becoming the tenth woman to accuse the GOP nominee of sexual misconduct.
Trump’s campaign issued a statement, calling Virginia’s statement a “smear,” and dismissing the accusation as another in a line of “circus-like antics.”
At a rally in Ohio, Trump tried to laugh off his controversial answer from Wednesday’s final presidential debate about accepting the results of November’s election.
“Are you saying you’re not prepared now to commit to that principle?” moderator Chris Wallace asked the Trump at the debate.
“What I’m saying is that I will tell you at the time. I’ll keep you in suspense,” Trump answered.
“I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election, if I win,” Trump told the crowd in Ohio.
Pointing to the 2000 Supreme Court fight between Al Gore and George Bush, Trump said that committing himself now to abide by the voters’ will would be irresponsible.
“Of course I would accept a clear election result. But I would also reserve my right to contest or file a legal challenge in the case of a questionable result!” Trump said.
In a further sign of disarray, CBS News has confirmed that Trump’s national political director, Jim Murphy, has left the campaign with just 18 days before the election.