Trump Comments on Cornell University Rape Case Involving Seven Accused

<figure><img alt="Donald Trump" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/467TFPRV6ZFWRO6Y6YBWWB37DU.JPG?auth=369409d7a1eb143a7c41a6946a616003fd30bf53b24ebed40a663a5d35b321d2&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1991&amp;height=1120" /><figcaption>Kylie Cooper / REUTERS</figcaption></figure><p>President Donald Trump has expressed sympathy for seven men accused of drugging and gang-raping a classmate at Cornell University.</p><p>New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to oversee a reopened criminal case regarding the allegations.</p><img alt="New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York Attorney General Letitia James attend a press conference regarding an investigation into alleged sexual assault at Cornell University on Oct. 2, 2026. / Jeenah Moon / REUTERS" height="4000" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/6DRW3CVZZBAGVDLY45QOH4E3MI.JPG?auth=c3d46b98133f6f01fa60197bf78f9b0ab030a3a4888c2efc15585b9ea2a6736d&amp;smart=true&amp;width=6000&amp;height=4000" width="6000" /><p>Trump criticized James during a press gaggle, stating, “Letitia James is a corrupt person. She’s totally corrupt, and I can’t imagine it. And I feel badly for whoever she’s looking at because they won’t get a fair shake.”</p><img alt="A student walks by the entrance to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, on Oct, 1, 2026. / Lauren Petracca / REUTERS" height="2000" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/QS2FMFHWUNHG3EPBM7UAFIA4GM.JPG?auth=a0ee2c9f2336e78d21d7023696e94be8b0132640b1ba49e73f445ad70fc92677&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3000&amp;height=2000" width="3000" /><p>The case gained national attention when the woman, referred to as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit against the seven former members of the Chi Phi fraternity and others, alleging she was incapacitated and sexually assaulted over several hours.</p><p>The lawsuit included screenshots of a Snapchat group where fraternity members allegedly discussed the assault.</p><img alt="Trump speaks with media before boarding Marine One as he departs for Mobile, Alabama, on Oct. 2, 2026. / Kylie Cooper / REUTERS" height="3860" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/JLYOBFMKRNGBRPV4J3SMSYSISQ.JPG?auth=36bd5f521a8ec097510d2b37a64d81c63dfdffb4e2fc95ecd8f920cbfca7814c&amp;smart=true&amp;width=5790&amp;height=3860" width="5790" /><p>The allegations prompted scrutiny as the original criminal investigation was closed in 2024 without charges. New documents released raised questions about the handling of the case, including a transcript where the woman stated she was “100 percent” certain she had been raped, which Governor Hochul said was not properly communicated to prosecutors.</p><p>James was appointed after Hochul removed the local district attorney overseeing the case, citing a loss of confidence in the investigation's management.</p><p>James has been a prominent adversary of Trump, having previously sued him in 2022 for alleged fraud related to his real estate business. Trump was fined over $300 million but later appealed the case.</p><img alt="Letita James said her bank fraud indictment was " src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/V4PQ3UNZMZFLHO33UU3FR6GRKI.jpg?auth=308fee4fea5a228b28a7713b13da9af5689e9dec7987b326680e1cf2ffdd14f6&amp;smart=true&amp;width=5786&amp;height=3896" /><p>Trump's comments are notable given his history with high-profile sexual assault cases, including his past calls for the death penalty in the Central Park jogger case involving five teenagers who were later exonerated.</p><p>Kelsie Taggart, Vice President at American Bridge 21st Century, criticized Trump’s remarks, stating, “For decades, Donald Trump has rushed to defend men accused of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment, while smearing and mocking the women brave enough to come forward.”</p><p>She added that Trump has shown a lack of concern for justice for victims of sexual assault.</p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-expresses-sympathy-for-accused-cornell-seven-rapists/">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>