Fact Check: Did Trump pay off girls that he abused that were 10-13 years old?
What We Know
The claim that Donald Trump paid off girls he abused who were between the ages of 10 to 13 lacks credible evidence. Notably, a significant lawsuit involving Trump was brought by E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexual abuse in 1996, resulting in a jury finding Trump liable and awarding Carroll $5 million in damages for sexual abuse and defamation in May 2023 (AP News). However, this case does not involve minors, as Carroll was an adult at the time of the alleged incident.
Additionally, there have been various allegations against Trump, including claims related to Jeffrey Epstein and incidents involving a 13-year-old girl, but these claims have not been substantiated with credible evidence or legal findings that would confirm such payments or abuse (The Sexual Misconduct of Donald J. Trump, Medium). Reports about Trump allegedly paying off victims have been largely speculative and often lack verification from reliable sources (Snopes).
Analysis
The claim in question appears to conflate various allegations against Trump without providing a clear basis for the specific assertion regarding payments to minors. The allegations involving Trump and Epstein, while serious, do not have confirmed legal outcomes that directly support the claim of Trump paying off minors he abused. For instance, while there are references to a lawsuit involving a 13-year-old girl, the details surrounding this case are murky and have not been substantiated in court (The Sexual Misconduct of Donald J. Trump, Medium).
Moreover, reputable fact-checking organizations have debunked similar claims, emphasizing that the Associated Press and other credible news outlets have not reported on any confirmed child molestation charges against Trump (Reuters). The lack of verifiable sources and the speculative nature of many claims surrounding Trump’s alleged misconduct contribute to the overall unreliability of the assertion.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that Donald Trump paid off girls that he abused who were between the ages of 10 to 13 is not supported by credible evidence. While there are serious allegations against Trump, including a high-profile case involving E. Jean Carroll, these do not involve minors or confirmed payments related to such abuse. The allegations surrounding Trump and Epstein are complex and often speculative, lacking the necessary substantiation to support the claim in question.
Sources
- The Sexual Misconduct of Donald J. Trump
- Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse, awards E. Jean ...
- False posts say AP reported on Trump 'child molestation ...
- E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump
- Jury Finds Trump Liable for Sexual Abuse and Defamation
- The Mystery Behind A Lawsuit Over Trump Raping A 13- ...
- Did Trump Pay $35M to Settle Child Rape Claims Against Him?
- Woman accusing Trump of raping her at 13 cancels ...