NYT Columnist Faces Backlash for Linking Trump to Alleged Cornell Sexual Assault
Michelle Cottle's comments on ABC News suggesting a connection between the former president's rhetoric and a civil lawsuit filed by a Cornell student have drawn criticism.
New York Times columnist Michelle Cottle is facing online criticism for suggesting that former President Donald Trump's rhetoric contributed to the culture surrounding an alleged sexual assault at Cornell University. Cottle made the remarks on ABC News on Sunday, connecting the incident to a broader "fundamental disrespect for women" that she argued is fostered by certain cultural messages.
"And that, I think, starts, you know — we can go to the president for this one," Cottle stated on the program. "I mean, we are in a moment in this culture where the glorification of being thuggish and swaggering and mistreating women is kind of making you a cool kid."
Cottle's comments drew immediate backlash, with critics pointing out that the alleged assault occurred in 2024, when Joe Biden was president. The incident involves a civil lawsuit filed by a woman, identified as Jane Doe, against seven men. The lawsuit alleges gang rape during an incident involving ketamine and alcohol. The defendants have denied wrongdoing, with some claiming the encounters were consensual and others denying participation. No criminal charges have been filed in the case.
Critics, including Fox News contributor Joe Concha and CNN contributor Scott Jennings, took to social media to question Cottle's assertion. "This happened in 2024 when Biden was President. Did she not know that?" one user on X questioned. Another described the take as "embarrassing and so incredibly lazy."
Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin also weighed in, stating, "Media and pundits fall all over themselves trying to make everything and anything about Donald Trump. It’s embarrassing and so incredibly lazy."
Donald Trump himself has commented on the case, particularly regarding New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is investigating the allegations. James previously filed a civil fraud lawsuit against Trump, in which he was found liable and ordered to pay over $350 million, though that penalty was later overturned on appeal.
"Well, Letitia James is a corrupt person," Trump said in response to James's appointment to investigate the alleged assault. "She's totally corrupt, and I can't imagine it — I feel badly for whoever she's looking at because they won't get a fair shake. Letitia James is a corrupt person."
The New York Times and the White House were contacted for comment by Fox News Digital.