Fact-Check: Did Kate Yorton Say When She Was 13 Years Old Trump Raped Her?
What We Know
The claim that Donald Trump raped a woman when she was 13 years old stems from allegations made in a lawsuit filed in 2016 by a woman using the pseudonym "Katie Johnson." According to the lawsuit, Johnson accused Trump and Jeffrey Epstein of holding her as a "sex slave" in 1994 and forcing her to perform sexual acts when she was a minor (Newsweek). The suit was dismissed by a judge shortly after it was filed, as it did not present valid claims under federal law (Politifact).
The allegations have resurfaced periodically, especially in the context of other legal matters involving Epstein, but the original lawsuit has not been substantiated with additional evidence, and the plaintiff has not been publicly identified since the dismissal of her case (Law&Crime).
Analysis
The allegations made by Johnson are serious, but the context and subsequent legal actions are crucial for understanding their validity. The lawsuit was dismissed due to a lack of legal grounds, which raises questions about the reliability of the claims. Trump's attorney at the time, Alan Garten, described the allegations as "categorically untrue" and "frivolous," suggesting a strong denial from Trump's camp (Newsweek).
Additionally, the plaintiff's anonymity complicates the situation, as it makes it difficult to assess her credibility and the veracity of her claims. The absence of corroborating evidence, such as police reports or witnesses, further weakens the case (Law&Crime).
While the allegations themselves are serious, the lack of a successful legal outcome and the dismissal of the case suggest that the claims have not been substantiated in a court of law.
Conclusion
The claim that Kate Yorton (or Katie Johnson) accused Donald Trump of raping her when she was 13 years old is Partially True. While the allegations were indeed made in a lawsuit, the case was dismissed for lack of legal merit, and there has been no further substantiation of the claims. The ongoing debate around these allegations reflects broader societal issues regarding sexual assault and accountability, but in this specific instance, the legal context significantly undermines the claims' credibility.
