Fact Check: Trump likes to be peed on

The Claim: "Trump likes to be peed on"

The claim that former President Donald Trump has a preference for being urinated on, often referred to as the "pee tape" controversy, stems from allegations made in a dossier compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele. This dossier, made public in 2017, included unverified claims that Trump engaged in sexual acts involving urination during a visit to Moscow in 2013. The allegations have been widely discussed and debated, but they remain unverified and contentious.

What We Know

Origin of the Allegations: The claims about Trump and urination originated from a dossier compiled by Christopher Steele, which was commissioned by Fusion GPS, a research firm. The dossier alleged that Trump had hired prostitutes to perform urination acts in a hotel room where the Obamas had previously stayed 2 4.
Trump's Denial: Trump has publicly denied the allegations, stating that he is "not into golden showers" 9. His denials have been consistent, and he has characterized the claims as fabrications aimed at undermining his presidency.
Lack of Evidence: As of now, there has been no verifiable evidence to support the existence of the alleged "pee tape." Various media outlets have reported on the controversy, but they have also noted the absence of concrete proof 1 3 6.
Legal Proceedings: Trump has pursued legal action related to the claims, including a lawsuit against BuzzFeed for publishing the dossier. However, courts have dismissed some of these lawsuits, indicating a lack of legal recourse for Trump concerning the allegations 5 8.
Expert Opinions: Some experts have commented on the psychological aspects of such allegations, noting that urophilia (the sexual interest in urine) is a recognized fetish, but they emphasize that the claims about Trump remain unverified 3.

Analysis

The sources discussing the "pee tape" allegations vary in credibility and reliability.

Mainstream Media: Outlets like The New York Times and Mashable provide detailed accounts of the origins and implications of the allegations. However, they often rely on the unverified claims from the Steele dossier, which raises questions about the reliability of the information presented 1 2.
Specialized Commentary: Sources like Psychology Today offer insights into the nature of urophilia, providing context for understanding the allegations, but they do not provide evidence supporting the claims about Trump specifically 3.
Legal Context: Newsweek's coverage of Trump's legal battles related to the allegations provides a factual basis for understanding the ongoing disputes surrounding the claims, though it does not offer new evidence regarding the actual events 5.
Speculative Claims: Some articles, such as those from VICE and Slate, delve into the possibility of the tape's existence, but they often rely on speculation rather than confirmed facts 4 6. This speculative nature can lead to sensationalism, which may distort public perception of the issue.
Conflicting Narratives: Reports from sources like the NZ Herald suggest that Steele believes the tape "probably does exist," which introduces a conflicting narrative that lacks substantiation 7. This highlights the ongoing debate and uncertainty surrounding the claims.

Conclusion

Verdict: Unverified

The claim that Donald Trump has a preference for being urinated on remains unverified. The key evidence leading to this verdict includes the origins of the allegations in the Steele dossier, the absence of verifiable evidence supporting the existence of the alleged "pee tape," and Trump's consistent denials of the claims. While some experts acknowledge the psychological aspects of such allegations, they also emphasize that the specific claims about Trump lack substantiation.

It is important to note that the lack of verification does not equate to proof of falsehood; rather, it reflects the current state of evidence, which is insufficient to confirm or deny the allegations definitively. The ongoing debate and speculation surrounding this issue highlight the complexities involved in assessing such claims.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the limitations of available evidence when forming their own conclusions about controversial topics like this one.

Sources

Analyst Who Reported the Infamous Trump Tape Rumor - The New York Times. Link
Donald Trump's 'pee tape' controversy, explained - Mashable. Link
Donald Trump and the 'Golden Showers' Allegations - Psychology Today. Link
Trump's pee tape: analyzing an incredibly convincing fake - Slate. Link
Donald Trump Dealt Court Blow Over 'Perverted' Sex Acts - Newsweek. Link
What You Need to Know About the Trump 'Pee Pee' Tape - VICE. Link
Infamous Donald Trump tape 'probably does exist' - NZ Herald. Link
Donald Trump's 'pee tape' controversy, explained - Yahoo. Link
Trump has publicly confirmed that he's 'not into golden showers' - indy100. Link
Absolutely Every Single Thing We Know About the Pee Tape - The Cut. Link