On MSNBC, Attorney Lisa Bloom Explains Why Questioning Trump Sexual Assault Accusers' Timing Is “Not A Viable Argument”

Bloom: “It's Scary Enough To Come Out With A Sexual Harassment Or Assault Allegation. Multiply That Times A Million When We're Talking About Donald Trump.”

From the October 14 edition of MSNBC's MSNBC Live

Video file

LISA BLOOM: The reason why [Jill Harth] came out publicly a few months ago to tell her story -- and she was the first woman to do that, using her name and her face, talking about what happened to her -- it was because he had previously called her a liar in response to a New York Times article that had run about her story. It's very, very hurtful to real people, to the women who have come out of the shadows, and to those who are still thinking about coming out of the shadows but are very afraid of this wealthy and powerful man with legions of followers. 

CRAIG MELVIN (HOST): In addition to representing Jill Harth, as I understand it you're also conferring with other women as well. Is there anything that you can tell us, without obviously violating privilege, about what these other women are saying? 

BLOOM: Well, I have been happy to receive calls and emails from other women, and we talk with them privately and we respect their privacy and the confidentiality unless and until they are ready to come out. Yes, there are others. And they are terrified. I mean, it's scary enough to come out with a sexual harassment or assault allegation. Multiply that times a million when we're talking about Donald Trump and the weight of the world media descending upon you. So, I do encourage women to come out. I encourage them to get a good lawyer in place and to shore up family support before they do it, but it's definitely not for everyone. You know, you and I talk on TV every day, Craig, and we're very comfortable with it, but most people are not comfortable being in the media glare.  

MELVIN: There are suggestions that the women who are accusing Doanld Trump are not necessarily credible because they didn't come forward close to the time of the alleged incident. Is that a viable argument at all? 

BLOOM: Well first of all, my client, Jill Harth, did. She filed a lawsuit in 1997. So that criticism does not apply to her. And I don't think it's a viable claim. Most women do not come forward, especially if we're talking about one incident. Of course they should -- we would all prefer that they do -- but we can understand why they don't. And, look, we women endure a lot. I mean, find me a woman who has been working for a few years who hasn't endured some form of sexual harassment or groping. You know, are we going to spend our whole lives going to the police and reporting these things? Again, some women will and they should. But not everybody does, and we can understand why. 

Previously: 

Today’s Lisa Bloom: “Does Rush Limbaugh Not Understand The Difference Between Consensual Sex And Rape?”

Lawyer For Trump Accuser Jill Harth Blasts Those Making Excuses For His Hot Mic Comments

Meet Jill Harth, One Of The Trump Sexual Assault Accusers His Media Surrogates Ignore