The Note: More Troubles for Trump

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October 13, 2016

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More Troubles for Trump

2 Women Claim Donald Trump Touched Them Inappropriately: New York Times Report

Two women have alleged that Donald Trump once groped them, according to a New York Times report published Wednesday. The Times spoke with Jessica Leeds and Rachel Crooks, both of whom claim that years ago they were touched by the Republican presidential candidate without their consent. Both women -- who approached the Times after Sunday's presidential debate -- said they have never told their respective stories publicly prior to the Times report. ABC's DAVID CAPLAN has more. http://abcn.ws/2dY4S5J

What the Trump Campaign is Saying

In a statement released Wednesday night following the report's publication, Trump campaign senior communication adviser Jason Miller, said, "This entire article is fiction, and for the New York Times to launch a completely false, coordinated character assassination against Mr. Trump on a topic like this is dangerous. To reach back decades in an attempt to smear Mr. Trump trivializes sexual assault, and it sets a new low for where the media is willing to go in its efforts to determine this election." http://abcn.ws/2dY4S5J

Happening Today -- Tim Kaine and Anne Holton on 'The View'

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine visits ABC's "The View," which airs at 11 a.m. ET. The democratic vice presidential candidate will be joined by his wife, Anne Holton, former Virginia Secretary of Education, in their first joint talk-show appearance since Senator Kaine was named Hillary Clinton's running mate.

Analysis - ABC's Rick Klein

That escalated quickly – and it's going to be hard to get back to any kind of track. The vicious and vile campaign for the presidency is now in a clogged and murky gutter, with accusers trickling out against one candidate and being sought against the other. With Donald Trump's map crumbling, and his denial of wrongdoing seeming to push new accusers to go public, this is where we're going to be for a while. (Awkward alert: The Trump campaign is now seeking to discredit women who say things about Trump, while seeking to boost those who have and would say things about Bill Clinton. And who thought the Trump camp, less than a week after the "Access Hollywood" video emerged, would accuse a newspaper of "trivializ[ing] sexual assault?") It's looking like a messy final few weeks. And it's looking like the campaign will finish where it started, and perhaps where it's always been, with a wince-inducing journey through personal history and conduct.

ABC's Jon Karl Moderates North Carolina and Florida U.S. Senate Debates

ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl will moderate U.S. Senate debates in two battleground states critical in the fight for control of the Senate. Tonight, Richard Burr (R) will debate Deborah Ross (D) at UNC-TV, North Carolina Public Media studios in Durham, sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters Educational Foundation. The hour-long debate will air at 7:00 p.m. ET on ABC affiliates throughout North Carolina, UNC-TV and other local television and radio stations.

Trump Would Walk In on 'Half-Naked' Women, Pageant Contestant Says

Karl will serve as the lead moderator in the first debate between Sen. Marco Rubio (R) and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D), taking place at the University of Central Florida's Fairwinds Alumni Centerin Orlando. ABC News will partner with ABC affiliate WFTV, POLITICO Florida, and COX Media Group radio stations WDBO and WOKV. WFTV anchors Greg Warmoth and Nancy Alvarez and Politico's Marc Caputo will join Karl in asking questions. The hour-long debate will air at 7:00 p.m. ET on ABC affiliates across Florida and other local television and radio stations. ABC News will live stream the debates live at www.abcnews.com/live

Happening Today - Michelle Obama to Stump for Clinton in New Hampshire

One of Hillary Clinton's most effective surrogates, First Lady Michelle Obama, is hitting the campaign trail again, ABC's JORDYN PHELPS and ROBIN GRADISON report. The first lady, who has stumped for Clinton several times over the last month, is scheduled to head to Southern New Hampshire University for a rally today. Michelle Obama's use of the phrase "When they go low, we go high" at the Democratic National Convention this summer has since become a campaign motto of sorts for the Clinton campaign. http://abcn.ws/2dLS3Np

Trump Sees 'Sinister Deal' Behind Republican Revolt

Republican nominee Donald Trump seemed to suggest Wednesday that House Speaker Paul Ryan and other members of the GOP are involved in a "sinister deal" against him. "There is a whole deal going on and we're going to figure it out. I always figure things out. But there's a whole sinister deal going on," Trump said campaigning Wednesday afternoon in Ocala, Fla. Though Trump doesn't spell out what the "deal" is, the candidate criticized Ryan for not showing support of his performance in the second presidential debate, write ABC's CANDACE SMITH, ADAM KELSEY and VERONICA STRACQUALURSI. http://abcn.ws/2d7WlzG