Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields’ claim that she was assaulted Tuesday night by Donald Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski is corroborated by an audio transcript of the incident published by Politico, an eyewitness account from a Washington Post reporter, and visible bruises on Fields’ body.
Despite all that evidence, Trump told reporters after Thursday’s debate that he thinks Fields made the whole thing up:
VIDEO: Trump to @DylanByers on @MichelleFields incident. "I think she made it up." pic.twitter.com/VUB5LnbrTM
— Ryan Nobles (@ryanobles) March 11, 2016
Meanwhile, Lewandowski continues to try and character assassinate Fields:
Michelle Fields is an attention seeker who once claimed Allen West groped her but later went silent. https://t.co/J86Ej42eYx
— Corey R. Lewandowski (@CLewandowski_) March 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/CLewandowski_/status/708040874752655365
@MichelleFields you are totally delusional. I never touched you. As a matter of fact, I have never even met you.
— Corey R. Lewandowski (@CLewandowski_) March 11, 2016
Fields, for her part, isn’t backing down:
I'm up for it. You've got nothing to hide right, @CLewandowski_? https://t.co/stmspHlBWA
— Michelle Fields (@MichelleFields) March 11, 2016
Trump’s denial of the incident came after a debate where he defended comments he’s made encouraging supporters to beat up protesters at his rally. The other Republican candidates were given an opportunity to condemn the violent tone of Trump’s campaign, but they instead pivoted and talked about other things. None of the candidates mentioned Lewandowski’s alleged assault of Fields at any point during the night.
Wow. This debate was sad and disappointing.
— Michelle Fields (@MichelleFields) March 11, 2016
Before the debate, Breitbart CEO and Presisdent Larry Solov released a statement standing by Fields and calling on Lewandowski to apologize:
Breitbart CEO and Pres Larry Solov statement: “We are disappointed in the campaign’s response” pic.twitter.com/I8S57WcoeX
— Hadas Gold (@Hadas_Gold) March 10, 2016
But if what Trump and Lewandowski said later in the evening is any indication, that apology will probably never be forthcoming.