People blasts Trump’s ‘disgusting, pathetic attempt to victimize’ reporter

People magazine on Thursday blasted Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump after he dismissed a former reporter’s story of his alleged sexual harassment as “lies.”

{mosads}”We are grateful to Natasha Stoynoff for telling her story,” wrote Editor in Chief Jess Cagle. “Ms. Stoynoff is a remarkable, ethical, honest and patriotic woman, and she has shared her story of being physically attacked by Donald Trump in 2005 because she felt it was her duty to make the public aware.

“To assign any other motive is a disgusting, pathetic attempt to victimize her again. We stand steadfastly by her, and are proud to publish her clear, credible account of what happened.”

In an account published late Wednesday night, Stoynoff said Trump pushed her against a wall in 2005 and kissed her without consent during a 2005 assignment she was on for the magazine. 

Trump on Thursday strongly dismissed the latest claims of sexual harassment from Stoynoff and other women who say he touched them without permission. 

“These lies come from outlets whose past stories and claims have already been discredited,” Trump said as he slammed the media during a campaign event in West Palm Beach, Fla.

“The media outlets did not attempt to confirm the most basic facts because even a simple investigation would have shown these were nothing more than false smears,” he added.

Cagle concluded her defense of the reporter, saying it is “heartbreaking that her fear of retaliation by Trump kept her from reporting the incident when it happened.”

“She has carried this secret for more than a decade, and we hope that by coming forward now she is relieved of that burden.”