Does a Sex Assault Claim Kill a Political Career? It Depends.
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-07-09 21:16:00 — www.nytimes.com
Donald Trump’s Approach to Sexual Misconduct Allegations Sets GOP Apart
Donald J. Trump’s presidency marked a significant shift in how the Republican Party responds to allegations of sexual misconduct against its members. Trump won the presidency in 2016 despite accusations from at least six women who said he had groped or forcibly kissed them. He denied every allegation, but was later found liable by a jury for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll, resulting in a $5 million civil judgment that a federal judge ordered him to pay.
Throughout his time in office, Trump stood firmly by his nominees for high-profile positions, including Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, even when they faced their own allegations of sexual impropriety. Each nominee denied the accusations, and Trump’s steadfast support was echoed by the majority of his party.
This approach contrasted sharply with the Democratic response to similar allegations. In recent years, Democrats have often moved quickly to expel or pressure accused members to resign, sometimes at the cost of losing political talent and energy. For example, Senator Al Franken resigned under pressure after being accused of groping and forcibly kissing women, despite apologizing and later disputing some of the claims.
Trump’s posture, and the Republican Party’s broader response, has been characterized by a reluctance to act against accused members unless political stakes are high. This has allowed some of the party’s most powerful figures to remain in positions of influence, even as allegations swirled around them. Notably, Trump’s second-term nominees accused of sexual impropriety, with the exception of Matt Gaetz, were confirmed or continued to wield power.
The divide between the parties on this issue is reflected in public opinion. A 2018 NPR/Ipsos poll found that three in five Republican respondents would consider voting for a candidate accused of sexual assault, while a majority of Democrats said they would not.
In summary, Trump’s denial of all allegations against him, his support for accused nominees, and the Republican Party’s general reluctance to act swiftly on such matters have set a distinct tone in American politics. This approach has enabled accused conservative figures to maintain their positions, even as the country continues to grapple with the legacy of the #MeToo movement and the ongoing reckoning over sexual violence in public life.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/08/us/politics/democrats-republicans-sexual-assault-politicians.html