A Journalist Who Accused Trump of Sexual Assault Is Sharing Her Heartbreaking Post-Election Experience

We’re just five days away from Donald Trump’s inauguration (and six from the planned Women’s March on Washington!), and with the big day approaching faster than many would like, a Canadian journalist who accused Trump of sexual assault is opening up about what the election process (and its result) has been like for her.

Natasha Stoynoff is a Toronto author, former People writer and one of 15 women who was brave enough to step forth and share her story. Last October, she published an article in People in which she detailed how, while doing a story on Donald Trump and Melania’s marriage at their Florida estate, he pushed her against a wall and kissed her.

Speaking with Chatelaine, Natasha revealed that her motivation for writing the piece was simple: “It was important to say something for the record, both as a journalist and also as a woman who experienced what he was talking about on that tape.” Admitting that she avoided going online after the piece was published in order to stay away from potential backlash, she says the President-Elect’s win “cut deeper because I had made myself vulnerable by writing what I wrote, and then he attacked me,” explained Natasha (this in reference to Trump’s response, “Take a look at her… I don’t think so.”). “I was hoping to inform Americans about him with my story, but it didn’t really matter to many. I think that’s what hurt the most.”

“It cut deeper because I had made myself vulnerable.” —Natasha Stoynoff on Trump win post sexual-assault allegations https://t.co/gBNsF2VTDN

— Chatelaine (@Chatelaine) January 14, 2017

For Natasha, being deemed “irrelevant” or “not credible” had to be extremely painful, especially considering the fact that her job revolves around being both relevant and credible. “There may be people out there who didn’t believe my story or the [stories of] other women. And there may be people who did, but just didn’t care. There are things more important to them in a president than if he grabs women when he’s alone with them,” she continued, concluding: “I’d rather not have him be president. I can’t tell if he’s smart in any way, even in business.”

Now, if you’re wondering if she’ll be at the Women’s March, the answer is yes… if she can get an extension on her February 1 book deadline.

Will you be supporting the Women’s March on Washington? Tweet us @BritandCo.

(h/t Chatelaine, photo via Spencer Platt/Getty)