Fact Check: Donald Trump raped children.

Fact-Check: "Donald Trump raped children."

What We Know

The claim that "Donald Trump raped children" is a serious accusation that requires careful examination. To date, there have been numerous allegations of sexual misconduct against Donald Trump, including accusations of sexual assault and harassment from various women. However, there is no verified evidence or credible legal finding that supports the specific claim of Trump raping children.

E. Jean Carroll Case: In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll in a department store in the mid-1990s, awarding her $5 million in damages. This case did not involve allegations of child rape but rather focused on adult sexual assault (AP News).
Other Allegations: While there have been claims of sexual misconduct against Trump, including groping and inappropriate comments, none of these allegations have been substantiated in a court of law as involving minors. The allegations span decades and include accusations from at least 28 women, but they primarily involve adult victims (Wikipedia).
Specific Allegations of Child Rape: There was a notable lawsuit filed in 2016 by a woman named Katie Johnson, who alleged that Trump raped her when she was 13 years old. However, this claim was widely discredited, and the lawsuit was dismissed. The Trump campaign vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them as "absolute nonsense" (Snopes).
No Ongoing Legal Proceedings: As of now, there are no credible reports or ongoing legal proceedings that substantiate claims of Trump being involved in child rape. Reports suggesting otherwise have been debunked (Reuters).

Analysis

The evidence surrounding the claim that Donald Trump raped children is largely based on unverified allegations and has not been supported by credible legal findings.

Credibility of Sources: The sources that discuss Trump's sexual misconduct primarily include news outlets and legal documents. For instance, the E. Jean Carroll case is documented in legal filings and widely reported by reputable news organizations. However, the claims of child rape, particularly those from the 2016 lawsuit, have been dismissed and lack credible support (AP News, Snopes).
Context of Allegations: The allegations against Trump often involve adult women and do not substantiate claims of child rape. The 2016 lawsuit was characterized by many as a publicity stunt rather than a legitimate legal claim, and it was dismissed without proceeding to trial (Wikipedia, Snopes).
Misleading Information: Some misinformation has circulated regarding Trump's alleged involvement in child molestation, but these claims have been fact-checked and found to be false. For example, a recent false report claimed that the Associated Press was reconsidering child molestation charges against Trump, which was categorically denied (Reuters).

Conclusion

The claim that "Donald Trump raped children" is False. While there have been numerous allegations of sexual misconduct against Trump, none of these have been substantiated with credible evidence or legal findings that involve minors. The serious nature of such accusations necessitates a high standard of evidence, which has not been met in this instance.