California GOP Recall Candidate Once Called Trump Sexual Assault Allegations 'Child's Play'

Larry Elder, the conservative talk radio host who is currently leading the field of Republicans hoping to unseat California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in a recall election next month, has been trying to put a bit of distance between himself and Donald Trump .

Elder recently upset some Trump supporters when he said Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election fairly and squarely . And last week, Elder pushed back on CNN host Michael Smerconish after he called him a Trump-supporting radio host and attorney.

Elder said he has not voted for a Democrat since Jimmy Carter a vote he regrets.

Im a Republican and Ive consistently voted Republican. So, to call me a Trump-supporting radio host is a little unfair is my opinion, thats all, he said.

But in 2017, Elder refused to condemn Trump when he faced sexual misconduct allegations from more than a dozen women .

Elder compared the allegations that Trump faced to the ones leveled against former film producer Harvey Weinstein. At the time, as ThinkProgress noted , Weinstein faced 39 accusations of sexual harassment and assault, with several women saying he raped them.

Oh, for crying out loud, Elder said during an appearance on Fox & Friends in October 2017. Harvey Weinstein has had now I think its over 30 accusations of sexual assault, including five accusations of rape. Whatever Donald Trump has done is childs play compared to this.

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