Backlash Against NYT Columnist Over Trump Remarks

The New York Times faces criticism after columnist Michelle Cottle suggested former President Donald Trump influences a culture that leads to incidents like an alleged sexual assault at Cornell University. Cottle expressed these views on ABC News, arguing that a culture of disrespect towards women is prevalent and gets perpetuated by societal figures.

According to Cottle, this mentality starts from the top. She criticized behaviors glorified in the cultural space as making being thuggish seem acceptable, particularly towards women.

Incident Details

A court case involves a woman, Jane Doe, who alleges she was gang-raped by seven men at Cornell under the influence of alcohol and drugs in 2024. At that time, Joe Biden was president. The accused men denied wrongdoing, with some alleging the interaction was consensual. No formal charges have been filed.

Response to Cottle’s Comments

The remarks by Cottle were met with strong reactions, especially highlighting the timing of the alleged incident during Biden’s presidency. Critics, including Fox News contributor Joe Concha and CNN contributor Scott Jennings, questioned Cottle’s assertion. Comments accused media and pundits of trying to link all negative incidents back to Trump.

Conservative voices, such as Tricia McLaughlin and John Ziegler, expressed disdain for what they see as an overreaching narrative. The Media Research Center circulated the clip, prompting further discussions on the topic.

Trump’s Response and Legal Context

Former President Trump commented on the case, criticizing New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is investigating the matter. Trump accused James of being corrupt, referencing her past legal actions against him. James had previously sued Trump, a case resulting in a fraud finding later overturned on appeal.

Efforts were made to reach out to The New York Times and the White House for their perspective on the issue. The debate continues as the case undergoes investigation.