The 2016 United States presidential campaign saw the emergence of a controversial audio recording featuring then-candidate Donald Trump. This recording, made public in October of that year, contained lewd and sexually aggressive comments he made in 2005. In the recording, Trump recounts attempting to seduce a married woman and discusses his ability to act with impunity toward women due to his celebrity status. Of particular note, his remarks included a seemingly related reference to breath mints.
The ensuing fallout from the release of the recording was significant. Numerous political figures, both Democrats and Republicans, condemned the comments. The recording threatened to derail Trump’s campaign, raising questions about his character and fitness for office. It spurred a broader national conversation about sexual assault, harassment, and the objectification of women. The incident underscored the pervasive nature of such attitudes and behaviors in society.
