Trump stops short of saying US Senate candidate Moore should leave race

Donald Trump is avoiding a senator campaign in Alabama, amid claims the Republican candidate initiated sexual contact with teenage girls decades ago.

(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

US Senate candidate Roy Moore is accused of molesting teenage girls decades ago. Source: AAP

A White House aide says President Donald Trump isn't campaigning for Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore due to "discomfort" with allegations that the former judge initiated sexual contact with teenage girls decades ago.

National Republicans are face dwindling options to force out the party's nominee before the December 12 vote.

White House legislative director Marc Short says Trump had "serious concerns" about the allegations.

Short told ABC's This Week that if Trump "did not believe that the women's accusations were credible, he would be down campaigning for Roy Moore".

Still, Short said Trump would allow Alabama voters decide Moore's fate in next month's election.

Trump has previously said Moore should drop out of the race if the allegations are true.

Moore has called the allegations "unsubstantiated," "unproven" and "fake".


Share
1 min read

Published

Updated



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world