The New York Times faces criticism after one of its columnists, Michelle Cottle, implied that President Donald Trump created a culture contributing to an alleged assault at Cornell University. During an ABC News segment, Cottle discussed the disrespect for women, suggesting such attitudes stem from cultural influences, hinting at presidential impact.
An incident involving a woman, identified as Jane Doe in court records, occurred at Cornell, where she claimed to have been assaulted by seven men during an event in 2024. At that time, Joe Biden was president. The accused men denied wrongdoing, citing consensual relations or denying participation altogether. No formal charges have surfaced.
Fox News contributor Joe Concha and others responded to Cottle’s comments by pointing out Biden’s presidency during the incident. Critiques emerged from multiple commentators, including CNN’s Scott Jennings and Tricia McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security. They argued against making Trump a focal point in unrelated issues.
Trump himself commented on the situation, expressing critical views about New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is scrutinizing the incident as part of her legal duties. Trump’s past with James includes a civil fraud case that resulted in a reversed penalty on appeal. In his reaction, Trump labeled James as corrupt, questioning her ability to conduct a fair investigation.
Fox News Digital reached out to The New York Times and the White House for responses but received no immediate feedback. The incident continues to generate debate across political lines.