The New York Times faces criticism after columnist Michelle Cottle linked President Donald Trump to a culture she argues led to an alleged sexual assault at Cornell University. On ABC News, Cottle highlighted a culture of disrespect towards women, claiming it stems from messages sent by influential figures.
“There is a fundamental disrespect for women,” she commented. “These messages, even under the influence, reveal misunderstandings about women’s roles and identities. This behavior starts at the top, and I point to the president for contributing to this cultural moment.”
Cornell University’s Response
Cornell’s president acknowledged shortcomings in handling sexual assault allegations, urging for better measures. The incident involved a woman, Jane Doe, who filed a lawsuit against seven men, accusing them of gang-rape during an event involving ketamine and alcohol in 2024. At that time, Joe Biden was president. The accused have denied any wrongdoing, with some claiming consensual encounters and others denying involvement. No charges have been filed.
Backlash from Media and Pundits
Cottle’s comment met strong pushback, especially regarding the timing since Biden was president during the incident. Fox News contributor Joe Concha and others highlighted this discrepancy. CNN contributor Scott Jennings criticized the attempt to link Trump to the event. Tricia McLaughlin, former DHS assistant secretary, and conservative commentator John Ziegler were among those who labeled the statement as misinformed and overly focused on Trump. The Media Research Center released the initial clip, contributing to the ongoing discourse.
Trump’s Reaction to the Investigation
Trump has commented on the case, now being investigated by New York Attorney General Letitia James. He questioned the fairness of the investigation, citing previous legal battles with James, who filed a civil fraud lawsuit against him in 2022. Although Trump was found liable in 2024, the verdict was overturned. He labeled James as corrupt, expressing skepticism about the investigation’s integrity.
Fox News Digital reached out to The New York Times and the White House for comments on the developments.
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