She made a Trumpian “both sides” argument.
While galavanting through Africa, First Lady Melania Trump took time out from modeling her colonialism casual look at World Heritage sites to speak with ABC News.
\nEXCLUSIVE: "I support the women and they need to be heard," first lady Melania Trump tells @ABC’s @TomLlamasABC when asked if she supports the #MeToo movement, but says "you need to have evidence" to accuse someone of sexual assault. https://t.co/V3BYtwPY1O pic.twitter.com/pyLrXCoY8S
— ABC News October 10, 2018\n
When asked about the #MeToo movement, Trump gave a Trumpian “both sides” response. “I support the women, and they need to be heard,” Trump said. “We need to support them. And, you know, also men, not just women.”
So, according to Trump, women should be supported, but also the men they accuse?
Sound familiar?
“I do stand with women,” Trump said. “But we need to show the evidence. You cannot just say to somebody, ‘I was sexually assaulted or you did that to me,’ because sometimes the media goes too far and the way they portray some stories, it’s not correct.”
No one thinks its right to falsely accuse people of sexual assault. But Trump obviously doesn’t know how rarely false accusations occur.
According to a study by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 63% of sexual assaults are never reported and only 2 to 10% percent of reports are false.
So, instead of taking a stand against people who make false accusations, as a woman in power, she should encourage more victims to report their cases to authorities.
Melania Trump is also way off base in her call for “evidence.”
Would a grope in the office leave any type of evidence?
Would someone abused as a child be able to provide DNA evidence?
What evidence would Brett Kavanaugh’s alleged sexual assault of Christine Blasey Ford have left behind?
If a man exposes himself to a group of women, is there evidence of that?
On a deeper level, the evidence criteria is a major reason why people do not report being sexually abused to authorities.
Many are afraid they won’t be believed and be chastised for having an uncorroborated story.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Melania’s interview.
\nPlease tell me they asked @FLOTUS why she was a birther with no evidence https://t.co/UxI8zblqOh
— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) October 10, 2018\n
\nLike this I suppose? Melania Trump is worthy of her taken last name as she is a completely vapid worthless human being like the rest of the Trump’s. pic.twitter.com/r95J9UYFUf
— kevin newcombe (@newmonic) October 10, 2018\n
\nThis might be the most fucked up thing I've ever heard @FLOTUS say.
— Morgan J. Freeman October 10, 2018\n
Melania Trump says women 'need evidence' if they say they're victims @CNNPolitics https://t.co/ZlZ5iDk5K1
\nAccording to @FLOTUS, in addition to:
— ImpeachTrump@dumptrump33) October 10, 2018\n
No jogging alone after dark
Walking to your car w/keys out looking over your shoulder
Not going to a bar alone
Watch what you wear, etc.
Women sexually assaulted need to be evidence collectors. You won't be believed otherwise.
\n@FLOTUS you do realize that your husband and the GOP senators refuse to allow an FBI investigation that could have provided evidence. Don't pretend you stand with women when you make excuses for your husband's actions
— Donald Trumpery (@Donald_Trumpery) October 10, 2018\n
\n@FLOTUS
— Niki clark (@Nikicla83725540) October 10, 2018\n
Like what! Do you think the assulter is gonna stop while you get out your phone to record the event? Or in your sworn testimony. Or maybe the results of your polygraph test. How much "hard evidence" would be enough when people are determined not to believe?