Rapper Azealia Banks tweeted and then deleted a post defending President Donald Trump against possible sex abuse allegations.
The 34-year-old Banks set off a tsunami of backlash after she argued that attitudes about adult-teen relationships had changed during the 79-year-old president’s lifetime as he faces suspicion about his relationship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reported The Daily Beast.
“OK in Donald Trump’s defense — f—ing 14 year old girls was really only made a social taboo in the 1990s,” Banks posted on X. “I’m honestly not surprised or mad at Trump for getting some 15 year old p—- because those were the times.”
“I really don’t get why women are fronting like they weren’t f—ing 40 year olds at 15 like come on now,” she added.
Banks clarified that 10-year-old children were too young for sex with adults, but she said “who cares, move on” regarding children 13 and older.
The rapper eventually deleted that post, but she continued to defend Trump, whom she backed in the 2024 election but says she now regrets.
“Like if we take down Trump for this we have to take down SOOOOO MANY US POLITICIANS ON BOTH SIDES AND THAT IS JUST NOT A PLAN THAT IS ROOTED IN REALITY,” Banks posted. “And if we’re taking down govt officials for sexualizing children then we are also abolishing healthcare for transgendered children and not medically and surgically mutilating them under the guise of social progression.”
“If we are going to retroactively take down Trump for this – WE ARE GOING TO BE CAUGHT IN A TUNNEL OF RETROACTIVELY HUNTING EVERY MOTHERF—ER ABOUT TO CROAK FOR SOME S— THEY ALREADY DID AND HAVE NO BRAINS TO FOCUS ON OUR FUTURE,” she added.
Trump has been accused of sexual misconduct toward women and teen girls, primarily groping or inappropriate behavior in pageant settings. Several Miss Teen USA contestants said Trump walked into backstage areas while they changed clothes, which often included minors. None has accused him of sex abuse.
Two of Trump’s friends said in 2016 that Trump attended sex parties in the 1990s with underage girls. These claims also have not led to criminal charges.