Khaleej Times

TRUMP VOWS TO SUE ACCUSERS

Republican candidate accuses Clinton campaign of orchestrat­ing sexual allegation­s

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GETTYSBURG — Donald Trump on Saturday pledged postelecti­on lawsuits against every woman who has accused him of sexual assault or other inappropri­ate behaviour, and he charged Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the Democratic Party with orchestrat­ing the allegation­s.

“Every one of these liars will be sued once the election is over,” Trump said, adding, “I look so forward to doing that.”

Trump’s threat overshadow­ed his intended focus during a speech in Gettysburg, Pennsylvan­ia, that was billed as a chance for the Republican nominee to lay out his agenda for his first 100 days in office. Trump promised to institute a hiring freeze on federal workers and to label China as a currency manipulato­r, but he first seized on the chance to once again try to discredit his accusers.

“Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign,” he said.

Ten women have publicly accused Trump of unwanted advances or sexual assault in the weeks since a 2005 recording emerged in which the former reality TV star made sexually aggressive comments about women. Trump has denied all allegation­s while insisting some of the women weren’t attractive enough for him to want to pursue.

Trump stuck to his belief the election is “rigged against him,” repeated false concerns about widespread voter fraud and insisted Clinton should have been barred from running because of legal questions about her use of a private email system as secretary of state.

He also complained that a “corrupt” media is fabricatin­g stories in order to make him “look as bad and dangerous as possible”. “They’re trying desperatel­y to suppress my vote and the vote of the American people,” he said.

Amid Trump’s struggles, Clinton has been displaying growing confidence and making direct appeals to voters “who may be reconsider­ing their support” for Trump following a string of sexual assault allegation­s and other troubles for the GOP nominee. “I know you may still have questions for me,” Clinton said on Friday in Cleveland. “I respect that. I want to answer them. I want to earn your vote.”

Her campaign headquarte­rs in New York was back up and running after an envelope containing a white powdery substance arrived on Friday, triggering an evacuation of the 11th floor. Police said initial tests showed the substance wasn’t harmful, and Clinton spokesman Glen Caplin said four people who received a full medical examinatio­n reported no health issues and were released.

Clinton was also getting a campaign boost on Saturday from singer Katy Perry, who planned to push early voting during an event in Las Vegas. The pop icon has been a vocal Clinton backer and was the featured entertainm­ent at the Democratic National Convention.

With the debates now behind them, Trump and Clinton have few natural opportunit­ies to significan­tly alter the course the race, especially with early voting already underway in 34 states. Yet neither candidate wants to overlook any opportunit­y to secure a few more votes. Though he acknowledg­ed the possibilit­y he may lose, Trump said Friday he would keep up an aggressive schedule in the final days so that he could end the race with no regrets. “I will be happy with myself,” Trump said.

More than 4.4 million votes have already been cast. Data compiled by The Associated Press showed that Clinton appeared to be displaying strength in crucial North Carolina and Florida, and may be building an early vote advantage in Arizona and Colorado.

Trump appeared to be holding ground in Ohio, Iowa and Georgia, although those states would not be sufficient for him to win the presidency if he trails Clinton in Florida or North Carolina.

Every one of these liars will be sued once the election is over. I look so forward to doing that” Donald Trump Republican presidenti­al nominee

 ?? — AFP ?? Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at the Eisenhower Hotel in Gettysburg, Pennsylvan­ia, on Saturday.
— AFP Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at the Eisenhower Hotel in Gettysburg, Pennsylvan­ia, on Saturday.

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