G.O.P. Squirms as Trump Veers Off Script With Abuse Remarks

The following article by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns was posted on the New York Times website February 10, 2018:

Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida, a first-term Republican, is one of the president’s most visible champions outside the White House staff. Credit: Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Trump’s approval ratings have been nudging upward and his party’s political standing is improving, but the president’s unceasing habit of making inflammatory and insensitive remarks is galvanizing opposition against him — especially from women — that could smother Republican momentum going into the midterm campaign.

Saturday was a case in point. In a Twitter post, Mr. Trump appeared to raise doubts about the entire #MeToo movement, a day after he had offered sympathy for a former aide accused of spousal abuse.

“Peoples lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation,” the president wrote on Twitter, adding: “There is no recovery for someone falsely accused – life and career are gone. Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?” Continue reading “G.O.P. Squirms as Trump Veers Off Script With Abuse Remarks”