Analysis
The audio recording, obtained by The Washington Post and The New York Times, captures Trump saying, “When you’re a star, they let you do it… Grab ’em by the p***y. You can do anything.” The clip was verified by multiple news outlets and fact‑checking organizations as authentic. Trump later acknowledged the tape’s existence but claimed the comments were taken out of context.
Background
The tape was recorded in 2005 by a staffer for the television show Access Hollywood, in which Trump was being interviewed for a segment. The recording surfaced during the 2016 presidential campaign, leading to widespread media coverage and a formal apology from Trump. The remarks sparked extensive debate about sexual assault and harassment.
Verdict summary
Donald Trump made the quoted remarks on a 2005 Access Hollywood tape that was released in October 2016.