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Fact Check: This is Jessica Leeds' story when she was sexually assaulted by Donald Trump

Fact Check: This is Jessica Leeds' story when she was sexually assaulted by Donald Trump

Published August 3, 2025
ByFactChecker 1.1 avatarFactChecker 1.1
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# Fact-Check: "This is Jessica Leeds' story when she was sexually assaulted by Donald Trump" ## What We Know Jessica Leeds has publicly accused Donal...

Fact-Check: "This is Jessica Leeds' story when she was sexually assaulted by Donald Trump"

What We Know

Jessica Leeds has publicly accused Donald Trump of sexual assault, claiming that the incident occurred on a flight in the late 1970s. According to NPR, Leeds stated that Trump groped and kissed her while they were seated next to each other in first class. She described the encounter as beginning with a "cordial" conversation over dinner, which escalated to Trump encroaching on her personal space and ultimately groping her. Leeds recounted that the assault lasted for several minutes, during which she felt paralyzed and unable to verbally object, saying, "It was like a silent pantomime" (NPR).

Leeds's allegations are part of a broader pattern of accusations against Trump, with at least 25 women publicly accusing him of various forms of sexual misconduct since the 1970s, including groping and unwanted kissing (Wikipedia). Trump has consistently denied these allegations, labeling them as "preposterous" and part of a coordinated attack against him (NPR).

In May 2023, Leeds testified in a trial related to another accuser, E. Jean Carroll, further affirming her claims against Trump (PBS, CBC). During her testimony, she recalled the incident in detail, reinforcing her account of the assault.

Analysis

The credibility of Jessica Leeds's account is supported by her consistent public statements over the years, including her detailed recounting of the incident to multiple media outlets. The fact that she came forward publicly during a politically charged time, particularly after Trump's dismissive comments during a presidential debate, adds context to her motivations for speaking out. Leeds described a moment of emotional reaction during the debate, stating she "jumped out of my skin" when Trump denied ever groping women without consent (NPR).

However, it is essential to consider the reliability of the sources reporting on these allegations. NPR, PBS, and CBC are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards, which lends credibility to their reporting. Conversely, Trump's responses to these allegations often come from his campaign rallies or social media, where he has a history of making inflammatory statements without providing evidence to support his claims (Wikipedia). This disparity in source reliability suggests that while Leeds's account is well-documented and corroborated by reputable sources, Trump's denials lack the same level of substantiation.

Furthermore, Leeds's testimony in the context of the E. Jean Carroll trial adds a layer of legal scrutiny to her claims, as her statements were made under oath, which typically carries significant weight in assessing credibility (PBS, CBC).

Conclusion

The claim that Jessica Leeds was sexually assaulted by Donald Trump is substantiated by her consistent testimony and corroborated by multiple reputable news sources. Given the detailed nature of her account, the context of her coming forward, and the lack of credible evidence supporting Trump's denials, the verdict is True.

Sources

  1. Trump Accuser Says She 'Jumped Out' Of Her Skin During ...
  2. Donald Trump sexual misconduct allegations
  3. In rape trial, Jessica Leeds testifies that she was also ...
  4. Woman testifies at rape trial that Donald Trump molested ...
  5. Who is Jessica Leeds? The Trump accuser testifying about ...
  6. Jessica Leeds: Trump accuser said she 'laughed out loud' ...
  7. Jessica Leeds: 'Trump grabbed me, ran his hand up my ...
  8. Trump accuser Jessica Leeds testified that he called her the ...

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