Understanding the Implications of the Access Hollywood Tape in the Trump Defamation Trial

In 2016, a leaked video from the Access Hollywood shows captured then-candidate Donald Trump boasting about his ability to sexually assault women. The tape featured Trump bragging about his celebrity status, which allowed him to "grab [women] by the pussy." The tape created a massive scandal and hurt Trump's campaign.

The Defamation Trial

Four years after the Access Hollywood Tape was leaked, Trump is facing a defamation lawsuit filed by former Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos. Zervos accused Trump of sexual assault and claimed that he defamed her by calling her a liar. Trump's lawyers argue that he is immune to the lawsuit because he was president at the time, but the case is still ongoing.

Why Does the Access Hollywood Tape Matter in the Defamation Trial?

The Access Hollywood Tape is essential to the defamation trial because it provides evidence of Trump's behavior toward women. Zervos's lawyers are using the tape to demonstrate that Trump's derogatory comments about women were not just "locker room talk" but reflected his actual attitudes and behavior. They argue that Trump's comments about grabbing women by the genitals show that he engaged in the same behavior he is accused of by Zervos.

The Implications of the Access Hollywood Tape in the Larger Context

The Access Hollywood Tape not only has implications for the Trump defamation trial, but it also sheds light on the larger culture of sexual harassment and assault. The tape sparked a national conversation about how women are treated in the workplace and beyond. It also led to the #MeToo movement, which has empowered women to speak out about their experiences with sexual harassment and assault.