Former President Donald Trump, during a speech at the New York Young Republican Club, recounted a bold claim that a high-ranking general once told him his response to the Access Hollywood tape during the 2016 presidential debate was the "bravest" thing he had seen. This anecdote came as Trump revisited his controversial "grab 'em by the p----" comment, which he had previously dismissed as "locker room talk."
Trump's story involved the general praising his courage for addressing the contentious issue in the debate with Hillary Clinton, mere days after the tape's leak. Trump recalled the general saying, "'Sir, I've been on the battlefield. Men have gone down on my left and on my right... But I believe the bravest thing I've ever seen was the night you went on to that stage... and I said, locker room talk! It's locker talk! What the hell?! Locker room talk!'" This account was met with laughter and applause from the audience.
In his speech, Trump also revisited other aspects of his presidency, including his surprise win in the 2016 election despite the Access Hollywood controversy and numerous other challenges. He spoke about his political journey, emphasizing his victory in the face of adversity and controversy.
The former president mentioned how all of his political advisers, except Steve Bannon, had urged him to withdraw from the race after the video surfaced. He described this period as a critical and challenging phase of his campaign, yet he managed to triumph.
Trump, who is campaigning for a third time for the White House, also touched upon his various legal battles, including four sets of criminal charges. He consistently denies all allegations of wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. In his speech, he portrayed these legal challenges as attempts by his opponents to hinder his political ascent.
Moreover, Trump hinted at a theme of retribution and retaliation, suggesting that he would seek to investigate and possibly prosecute President Joe Biden and his family if reelected. He warned Biden to "be very careful what you wish for," implying potential political consequences.
The event, known for its headline-making speeches, also honored controversial figures such as Steve Bannon, Rudy Giuliani, and Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar. Host Alex Stein made controversial remarks, and club president Gavin Wax spoke about a time for retribution against perceived adversaries of Trump.
Trump's recounting of the Access Hollywood episode and his broader political narrative underscore his ongoing influence within the Republican base and his penchant for controversy and defiance in the face of criticism and legal scrutiny.
