Trump accused of groping women 'like an octopus'

The New York Times interviewed two women who accused Donald Trump of inappropriate behavior toward them, one of whom said he groped her "like an octopus."

Ms. Jessica Leeds. Photo: New York Times

At the second presidential debate, Republican White House candidate Donald Trump insisted he had never sexually harassed women. However, at least two women disputed his assertion in an interview published by the New York Times today.

Jessica Leeds, 74, from Manhattan, said she "wanted to punch the TV screen" when she heard Mr Trump speak.

Ms Leeds said that more than 30 years ago, on a business trip, she sat next to Mr Trump on a first-class flight to New York. The two had never met before. About 45 minutes after takeoff, Mr Trump suddenly lifted the divider between the two seats and began to touch her.

Ms Leeds said Mr Trump tried to touch her breasts and put his hand up her skirt. “He was like an octopus,” she said. “His hands were everywhere.” Ms Leeds had to move to the back of the plane. “It was an assault,” she said.

Ms. Leeds in 1978. Photo: New York Times

Rachel Crooks, who lives in Ohio, cannot forget meeting Mr. Trump 11 years ago when she was 22. At that time, Crooks was a receptionist at Bayrock Group, a real estate investment and development company, which rented its headquarters in Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York.

Crooks once ran into Trump in the elevator and greeted him, knowing that her company had business with him. But the American billionaire did not let her go, he started kissing her on the cheek and then "kissed her straight on the lips," Crooks said, adding that it was not an accident but an act of violence.

"It was wrong," Crooks said. "I felt angry that he thought I was some ordinary person who could do that to me."

However, Trump denied all the information from the New York Times. "It never happened," he shouted at the reporter who asked the question. Trump said the newspaper made up a lie to hurt him, and vowed to sue if the newspaper published an article about this.

Donald Trump is facing a storm of criticism after a 2005 video was released showing him using vulgar terms to refer to women. In response, a series of Republican officials announced they were withdrawing support for the New York tycoon, including House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Young Donald Trump. Photo: Ozy

According to VNE