PICKING AT THE SCAB

Trump’s #MeToo Accusers Say His Trial Is Bringing Back Bad Memories

Many of the women found themselves tuning in to Stormy Daniels’ testimony last week.

Several women who have accused Donald Trump of sexual harassment and assault told The Washington Post over the weekend that the former president’s New York City trial—in which Trump’s alleged affair with porn star Stormy Daniels has taken center stage—has brought up unpleasant memories. The informal group of accusers communicates semi-regularly with each other, the Post reported, sharing their concerns that they may never be able to escape the now-ubiquitous cultural figure. Daniels’ testimony last week supercharged those feelings, and many of the women found themselves remembering similar moments with Trump. “We’ve been emailing each other, saying ‘Oh my God, she feels similar to how many of us felt,’” said Natasha Stoynoff. An attorney for Trump called the claims “false and defamatory” and cautioned the Post not to run its story about the women—blaming a recent gag order handed down by the Manhattan judge in Trump’s case as the reason he could not speak further about the allegations. “The gag order is so overbroad and illegal that it prohibits President Trump from causing us, as his attorneys, from addressing the central tenant of your ‘story,’” Blanche told the newspaper.