No, Trump groper Halloween costumes aren't funny
Jemima Goldsmith's "Original Trump Groper" Halloween costume for sale on the United Kingdom's eBay is climbing above £6,000 (about $7,338) and still has five days to go. Could the costume's popularity spur a disturbing trend this year?
Ten women have publicity accused Republication presidential nominee Donald Trump of unwanted physical contact. These allegations emerged after audio from a 2005 Access Hollywood leaked, in which Trump said that he immediately starts kissing "beautiful" women upon meeting them and that stars can do anything, including grope women. Trump later apologized for his decade-old statements. Although Trump and his campaign deny the new allegations of unwanted sexual advances, the stories remain a hot topic with voters.
Woman says Trump groped her at 1998 U.S. Open
The costume Goldsmith (also known as Khan) wore to the annual UNICEF UK Halloween Ball in London fueled the controversy surrounding Trump and sexual misconduct. She dressed as Melania Trump with a Donald Trump dummy hanging off her shoulder, its face strained with mouth open and its hands reaching around to her chest and down her abdomen. Goldsmith held a sign saying "Trump 2016."
Some praised her for the costume choice, saying it was "the stuff of nightmares."
Others noted it might catch on.
Critics say the costume is troubling because it pokes fun at sexual assault.
Bustle recently released a list of the 10 offensive Halloween costumes for the year with "sexually predatory costumes" included. The chart didn't point a finger at Trump costumes but said "sexually aggressive costumes promote not only sexism and sexual objectification, but they also perpetuate rape culture."
Groups combatting sexual violence — including the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network — spoke out against reactions in the wake of the Access Hollywood leak, warning about the risks of making light of the sexually charged comments.
"Bragging or joking about sexual violence is offensive and unacceptable," RAINN said in a statement after Trump's "locker room talk" episode.
Sales from Goldsmith's costume will go to UNICEF to support Muslim Syrian refugees, according to Khan's eBay listing, "because that's what The Donald would want."
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