Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson has accused Donald Trump and his son Eric of “victim blaming women” for comments they made in two separate interviews on the subject of sexual harassment.
Carlson, whose sexual harassment lawsuit against former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes led to his departure from the network he created, called comments made by Eric Trump Tuesday morning “sad.”
On CBS This Morning, Trump was asked about an interview his father gave to USA Today, in which he told Kristen Powers he thought it was “very sad” women at Fox News were “complaining” about harassment on the job. Powers, who is also a paid Fox News contributor, wrote:
What if someone had treated (Trump’s daughter) Ivanka in the way Ailes allegedly behaved?
His reply was startling, even by Trumpian standards. “I would like to think she would find another career or find another company if that was the case,” he said.
On CBS, Eric Trump told Charlie Rose allegations of sexual harassment should be addressed, but added, “Ivanka is a strong, powerful woman … I don’t think she would allow herself to be subjected to that.”
“Sad in 2016 we’re still victim blaming women,” Carlson responded on Twitter. “Trust me I’m strong.”
Fox News host Megyn Kelly shared Trump’s comment, and added one word:
Sigh. https://t.co/dj6rtOa8ta
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) August 2, 2016
Later, Trump himself attempted to explain:
I said sexual harassment is a “no go” and should be addressed by Human Resources. It’s totally unacceptable behavior https://t.co/nttmptuc4M
— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) August 2, 2016