Donald Trump’s lawyer apologized Tuesday for comments he made to a “Daily Beast” reporter saying, “You cannot rape your spouse.”
“Rarely am I surprised by the press, but the gall of this particular reporter to make such a reprehensible and false allegation against Mr. Trump truly stunned me. In my moment of shock and anger, I made an inarticulate comment – which I do not believe – and which I apologize for entirely,” Cohen said in a statement.
The lawyer, Michael Cohen, made threats against a reporter who was writing about a decades-old allegation of rape by Trump’s first wife, Ivana Trump. Ivana Trump used the term “rape” to describe a sexual encounter between her and her husband when she was giving a deposition during the couple’s 1990 divorce.
“You’re talking about the frontrunner for the GOP, presidential candidate, as well as a private individual who never raped anybody. And, of course, understand that by the very definition, you can’t rape your spouse,” Cohen had told “The Daily Beast.” “You cannot rape your spouse. And there’s very clear case law.”
By 1993, marital rape was illegal in all 50 states. New York’s marital rape exception was struck down in 1984.
Ivana Trump has gradually walked back the “rape” accusation since 1990. In a statement provided to CBS News after the “Daily Beast” story was published, she said she made the allegation “at a time of very high tension during my divorce from Donald.”
“The story is totally without merit,” she said. “Donald and I are the best of friends and together have raised 3 children that we love and are very proud of. I have nothing but fondness for Donald and wish him the best of luck on his campaign.”
“Incidentally,” she added, “I think he would make an incredible president.”
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SOURCE: REBECCA KAPLAN
CBS NEWS
