Some Trump cabinet picks are accused of sexual misconduct. What's it mean for #MeToo?

Summary

Consider This from NPR: "Some Trump Cabinet Picks Are Accused of Sexual Misconduct. What’s It Mean for #MeToo?"
Release Date: November 21, 2024

In this compelling episode of NPR's Consider This, host Mary Louise Kelly delves into the resurgence of sexual misconduct allegations within the highest echelons of government as former President Donald Trump gears up for a potential second term. The discussion not only revisits the foundational moments of the #MeToo movement but also explores its current trajectory in the face of controversial cabinet appointments.

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1. The Trump Presidency and Sexual Misconduct Allegations

The episode opens with a recounting of the infamous 2005 Access Hollywood tape featuring then-candidate Donald Trump. Mary Louise Kelly sets the stage by highlighting how the leaked conversation ("Grab them by the...") nearly derailed Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Despite widespread accusations of sexual misconduct that emerged during that period, Trump's victory underscored a complex landscape regarding accountability and voter priorities.

Notable Quote:

Mary Louise Kelly (00:19): “You can do anything, whatever you want.”

2. The Rise and Impact of the #MeToo Movement

Transitioning to the broader #MeToo movement, Kelly contextualizes its emergence against a backdrop of significant revelations in Hollywood, such as Harvey Weinstein's extensive history of sexual harassment. The movement rapidly evolved into a global call for accountability, empowering millions of women to share their experiences and leading to the downfall of numerous high-profile men across various industries.

Notable Quote:

Mary Louise Kelly (01:42): “Hard, it was a fight. That's writer Eugene Carroll speaking on CNN shortly after publishing an article in New York magazine alleging that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in the 1990s.”

3. Renewed Allegations and Legal Consequences for Trump

The narrative progresses to more recent events, notably the 2023 jury verdict holding Trump liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll and defaming her. This legal setback marks a significant moment in the intersection of politics and the #MeToo movement, emphasizing that even powerful figures are not immune to accountability.

Notable Quote:

Mary Louise Kelly (02:17): “She came forward in the 90s. The verdicts were a win for Carroll and for the legacy of the MeToo movement.”

4. Controversial Cabinet Appointments and Their Implications

As Trump prepares for a potential second term, several of his cabinet nominees are embroiled in their own sexual misconduct allegations. Names like Pete Hegseth, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Elon Musk surface, each facing varying degrees of accusations. These appointments raise pressing questions about the current state of the #MeToo movement and its influence on political appointments.

Notable Quote:

Mary Louise Kelly (03:02): “Donald Trump's first presidential win helped lay the groundwork for the MeToo movement. What might his second win and his cabinet picks tell us about where the movement stands today?”

5. In-Depth Discussion with Jodi Kantor

To unpack these developments, Kelly invites Jodi Kantor, a New York Times investigative reporter and co-author of the seminal book She Said, which significantly contributed to the #MeToo movement.

a. Trump’s Election and the Birth of #MeToo

Kantor reflects on how Trump's 2016 victory inadvertently created an environment ripe for the emergence of the #MeToo movement. The unprecedented attention on Trump's own misconduct allegations set the stage for broader investigations into other powerful men across the political spectrum.

Notable Quote:

Jodi Kantor (04:46): “The first big story that the Times did was about the Fox News host Bill O'Reilly, but the second was about Harvey Weinstein. And that showed that these were figures on the left and on the right and the reckoning that followed.”

b. Current Cabinet Selections as a Challenge to #MeToo

Kantor expresses concern that Trump's cabinet choices, many of whom have reputations tarnished by sexual misconduct accusations, represent a direct challenge to the progress made by the #MeToo movement. She argues that these appointments signal a pushback against the movement's principles of accountability and workplace safety.

Notable Quote:

Jodi Kantor (07:45): “He's essentially trying to make a statement that they deserve to have these jobs despite the taint of these allegations.”

c. The Evolution and Politicization of #MeToo

The conversation shifts to the evolving dynamics of #MeToo, highlighting debates over fairness, evidence standards, and the politicization of sexual misconduct allegations. Kantor notes a troubling trend where the movement's core principles are being overshadowed by political maneuvering, potentially diluting its effectiveness.

Notable Quote:

Jodi Kantor (09:45): “Look at Louis CK who acknowledged the allegations against him, said they were true, has become very successful again. But what's happening now with these appointments, I think feels less like a searching conversation about, well, how do we do this?”

6. The Persistent Relevance of #MeToo

Despite predictions of the movement's decline, Kantor argues that #MeToo remains a powerful force. She emphasizes that ongoing allegations and the continuous uncovering of misconduct demonstrate its enduring impact, even as it grapples with increased politicization.

Notable Quote:

Jodi Kantor (10:39): “Every few weeks there's another powerful wave of allegations. Look at the recent allegations against Sean Combs. Those kinds of stories have really continued unabated for about seven years now.”

7. Conclusion: Navigating the Future of #MeToo

As the episode wraps up, Kelly and Kantor contemplate the future of #MeToo in an increasingly polarized political landscape. The interplay between high-stakes political appointments and the movement's foundational goals presents a complex challenge for advocates striving to maintain momentum and achieve lasting cultural change.

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Final Thoughts:
This episode of Consider This provides a nuanced exploration of how Trump's potential return to the White House, coupled with his controversial cabinet picks, intersects with and challenges the principles of the #MeToo movement. Through insightful analysis and expert commentary from Jodi Kantor, listeners gain a deep understanding of the ongoing struggles and debates surrounding workplace accountability and gender-based misconduct in contemporary America.

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Produced by Katherine Fink, edited by Courtney Dorning, and executive produced by Sammy Yenigun. For more insights and discussions, visit Consider This+.

Transcript

[Mary Louise Kelly]

In 2016, one month before election Day, a story broke about then candidate Donald Trump that sent shockwaves through the campaign. It was a hot mic moment from 2005, a conversation between Trump and Billy Bush, then host of Access Hollywood.

[Jodi Kantor]

And when you're a star, they let you do it.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

You can do anything, whatever you want.

[Jodi Kantor]

Grab them by the.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

In a statement after the video surfaced, Trump called his comments locker room banter. He apologized, said the words did not reflect who he was. But that month, a deluge of women came forward and accused him of sexual misconduct, which the Trump campaign broadly denied. The fallout from the Access Hollywood tape could have derailed Trump's chances of winning the White House. It didn't. It is my high honor and distinct privilege to introduce to you the President Elect of the United States of America, Donald Trump. Trump won, but conversations about the culture of sexual misconduct didn't die. They got louder. Now a blockbuster New York Times story detailing decades of sexual harassment by movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Longtime newsman Charlie Rose, Danny Masterson against Matt Lauer, the latest media giant to be disgraced in the era of MeToo. The MeToo movement ushered in an era of accountability. Millions of women worldwide shared stories of being sexually har harassed and abused, particularly in the workplace. Prominent men lost their jobs after public allegations were made against them. Then, in 2019, while Trump was in office, another of his accusers came forward.

[Jodi Kantor]

It was against my will, and it.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Hurt, and it was a fight. That's writer Eugene Carroll speaking on CNN shortly after publishing an article in New York magazine alleging that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in the 1990s. Trump denied the alleg said they had never met, and Carroll sued for defamation. In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carol and for defaming her.

[Jodi Kantor]

The former president must now pay $83.3 million in damages to writer E. Jean Carroll.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

She came forward in the 90s. The verdicts were a win for Carroll and for the legacy of the MeToo movement. Fast forward to 2024. Trump is on his way back to the White House. I want to thank you.

[Jodi Kantor]

I will not let you down.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

America's future will be bigger. And now, as he plans his second term, a number of his Cabinet picks are men who also have been accused of problematic sexual behavior. A former staff member who worked for Kennedy as a babysitter in the 90s claimed he inappropriately touched her. CBS News confirms Hegseth paid a confidential settlement to the woman who accused him of sexual assault back in 2017, CEO.

[Jodi Kantor]

Elon Musk denying claims of sexual assault from a former flight attendant. She worked on a contract.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Consider this, Donald Trump's first presidential win helped lay the groundwork for the MeToo movement. What might his second win and his cabinet picks tell us about where the movement stands today? From npr, I'm Mary Louise Kelly. It's Consider this from npr. If you were tracking Donald Trump's cabinet picks, you may have noticed common threads. Top jobs are going to people fiercely loyal to Trump, also people with experience appearing on tv, but no experience directly relevant to the jobs they would be doing. There's another thing. Several shares being accused of sexual misconduct. Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, HHS Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Elon Musk, who Trump has picked to co run the Department of Government Efficiency. All these men have faced some variation of accusations of sexual misconduct. All have denied it or claimed no memory. I want to bring in New York Times investigative reporter Jodi Kantor. Her story about Harvey Weinstein, co written with Megan tuohy, ignited the MeToo movement back in in 2017. Where does that movement stand now? Jodi Kantor, welcome.

[Jodi Kantor]

Great to be with you.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Before we get to this current moment, come on a journey back in time with me and just remind people how Donald Trump's election to the White House in 2016 helped create, I think it's safe to say, an environment that opened the door to your Weinstein reporting and the MeToo movement and everything that followed.

[Jodi Kantor]

You know, what was so interesting is that for sure, discussions of, say, the Access Hollywood tape, the allegations against President Trump helped ignite the conversation. But the news question, the investigative question we were dealing with was not political. You know, inside the New York Times, we asked ourselves, are there other powerful men in American life who have covered up allegations of crossing a line with women? And the first big story that the Times did was about the Fox News host Bill O'Reilly, but the second was about Harvey Weinstein. And that showed that these were figures on the left and on the right and the reckoning that followed. I know it sounds strange to say now, but it was not particularly partisan. These were figures in the corporate boardroom, in the media. There were people on the right like the politician Roy Moore. There were politicians on the left. At one point, the Atlantic magazine did a count in 2018 of politicians who had lost their jobs because of these kinds of allegations. And it was actually an even split between Republicans and Democrats. And that helped give the movement some of its authority because it didn't feel like just one side or the other side. It felt like a straightforward question of what happened to these women.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

So with that as backdrop of what was happening six years ago, seven years ago. And what is your reaction to this? Appointments. There's a list longer than the one that I just read.

[Jodi Kantor]

Well, now it seems that President elect Trump is trying to almost force a fight over MeToo. Remember that? You know, the kind of great MeToo reckoning was really about the workplace, right? There was some discussion of, you know, a guy meets a woman in a bar, does something inappropriate. But the heart of it was this kind of workplace accountability moment that was without precedent in American life. Hundreds of men lost their jobs over these kinds of allegations. And now what President elect Trump is putting on the table are he's talking about jobs, right? He's essentially trying to make a statement of for the positions that require confirmation, these people can be confirmed despite these allegations. And first of all, they're denying that this stuff ever happened. But also he's making a statement that they deserve to have these jobs despite the taint of these allegations.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Is this on some level a backlash against the backlash, or is this normalization of tolerance of sexual misconduct?

[Jodi Kantor]

Well, one thing it is for sure, I think, is a return to an older time where, where these fights were very political and what people believed depended on what side they were on politically. Just to flip things to the Democrats for a second, think of the situation with former President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. There were a lot of feminists who backed President Clinton, and years later, it was kind of embarrassing, right, because it looked like they had chosen their own side politically instead of choosing the woman. So, first of all, I think we see this kind of reversion to those old rules that actually felt like they were sort of interrupted at the height of the MeToo movement. And also, I think we just can't ignore the number of allegations that have stacked up over the years against President Trump himself, the E. Jean Carroll case. And these selections look to some extent like his answer.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Well, it's interesting. Just stay with Donald Trump for a second because here is something that has changed since the MeToo movement ignited. Since he was elected president, he has been held liable for sexual abuse in that case. And yet collective shrug by voters. What's your read on that?

[Jodi Kantor]

Well, I don't think that dynamic has changed since 2016 because that was the same thing really. We saw the first time around. There were a lot of really well reported allegations against President Trump before the 2016 election. There was the Access Hollywood tape in which he boasted about it in his own voice and people chose to vote for him.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Yeah. Are there conversations unfolding now that you are tapped into? Maybe, you know, women who you were interviewing in all of your original reporting, raising the question of is there a necessary correction? Did MeToo go too far in that some men were canceled without enough evidence?

[Jodi Kantor]

Oh, I think there's a huge conversation about what fairness looks like with me, two cases, what kind of behavior should be included, you know, just really bad behavior? Or are we also talking about, you know, sort of unfortunate incidents, what the level of evidence is necessary to believe one of these stories, what accountability should look like, what the future is of a man who's acknowledged that he's done something wrong. Look at Louis CK who acknowledged the allegations against him, said they were true, has become very successful again. But what's happening now with these appointments, I think feels less like a searching conversation about, well, how do we do this? Right. And more like a show of force.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

So, big picture, where does this leave me? To dead recalibrating?

[Jodi Kantor]

Certainly not, Dad. I mean, truly, Mary Louise, since, you know, a few weeks into the MeToo moment, I have been hearing various obituaries for it, and it's never happened. I mean, every few weeks there's another powerful wave of allegations. Look at the recent allegations against Sean Combs. Those kinds of stories have really continued unabated for about seven years now. But what I do think is that it's becoming very politicized. You know, there was a comment that the president elect made on the campaign trail a few weeks ago that was so telling. He said that he was very surprised that Harvey Weinstein went down in the MeToo movement because he said Weinstein is a figure on the left. And, you know, he was kind of floating this thesis that MeToo is a force of the left, that it's a woke thing, that it's about getting men on the right. And so what we're seeing through his eyes is a more highly politicized definition of what's really going on.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

Jodi Kantor is a New York Times investigative reporter along with Megan Tuohy. She's the author of she Said. Thank you.

[Jodi Kantor]

Thank you.

[Mary Louise Kelly]

This episode was produced by Katherine Fink. It was edited by Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigun. It's Consider this from npr. I'm Mary Louise Kelly.