At a rally on Sunday, former President Donald Trump defended Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster, dismissing recent sexual misconduct allegations against him as “malicious” and claiming that they were the driving force behind his decision to hold an event in the Cornhusker State ahead of the Republican primary later this month.
“He’s been unfairly criticized, which is unfortunate. That’s why I came out here in the first place “During his speech in Greenwood, Trump, who has faced more than a dozen sexual misconduct charges and denied them, said of Herbster. “It would have been simple for me to say, “I’m not coming.” When I know my people are good, I defend them.”
Herbster’s vehement denial came only days after the Nebraska Examiner reported that seven women, including Republican state Sen. Julie Slama, had accused him of groping them at political gatherings or beauty pageants, with another accusing him of forcibly kissing her. According to the magazine, at least one eyewitness supported the women’s claims in six incidents.
Herbster has categorically disputed the charges, calling them “100% fake.” He filed a complaint against Slama on Friday, alleging that Herbster grabbed up her skirt during a Republican fundraiser event in 2019 and that her claims caused him “grievous injury to his image.”
Trump stated on Sunday that he met with numerous of Herbster’s friends who backed him before the former President entered the stage.
“RINOs, the media, and the extreme left will never sway Charles W. Herbster. That’s why they’re trying all they can to prevent him from succeeding. Malicious allegations have been leveled against him in an attempt to delay him long enough for the election to be held before a proper defense can be presented “added the former President.
“However, he already has the necessary defense in place. He is completely unaware of the situation. That is the right counter-argument. Charles is a wonderful person. And he’s not guilty of these heinous allegations “Without offering any proof, Trump continued. “I could have easily gotten out of this one. I could have gone golfing. I had the option of going to the beach. I’m joined by Charles W. Herbster.”
The governor contest in Nebraska on May 10 is one of several looming tests of Trump’s influence in GOP primaries. In other states, including Ohio, West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, candidates endorsed by the former President will face fierce competition in primaries for House, Senate, and governorships in May.
Trump delivered a nearly two-hour address on Sunday, in which he revisited a number of old issues, including bogus assertions regarding the 2020 race. Several Trump-aligned people and other GOP candidates spoke at the gathering, which was postponed after storm warnings on Friday night.
Informal advisors David Bossie and Matt Schlapp, as well as US Rep. Billy Long, a Senate aspirant from Missouri, accompanied the former President.
“They’re all in good shape. They’re all in good shape. Let’s see what happens, shall we? “”I’ve backed a lot of people,” Trump remarked of the people he’s endorsed.
Herbster isn’t the only Trump supporter to be accused of mistreating women this election season.
Former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, an ex-girlfriend of House candidate Max Miller in Ohio, has accused him of abuse. Miller has rejected the charges and has sued Grisham for defamation. Herschel Walker, a former football player who is running for Senate in Georgia, has been accused of threatening many women over a ten-year period. Walker has spoken openly about his mental health difficulties, and his campaign has stated that he has sought treatment since the alleged violent occurrences in the early 2000s.
