You’re talking about the frontrunner for the GOP, presidential candidate, as well as a private individual who never raped anybody. And, of course, understand that by the very definition, you can’t rape your spouse…. It is true. You cannot rape your spouse. And there’s very clear case law.
— Michael Cohen, special counsel for The Trump Organization, responding to an account the Daily Beast published of a sexual encounter between Trump and his then-wife, Ivana Trump. Ivana initially characterized the violent encounter as rape, but since modified the sentiment to indicate she felt violated by the experience. The allegation surfaced in an early 90’s deposition and was referenced in the 1993 book Lost Tycoon: The Many Lives of Donald J. Trump.
Of course, Cohen is very wrong about the legal status of marital rape. In New York, the exemption for marital rape was eliminated in 1984 and, in fact, in all but 8 U.S. states marital rape is against the law. Think Progress editor Judd Legum that suggests “Trump needs a new lawyer.” At least one versed in, you know, the law. When the actual LAW got in the way of Cohen’s defense of his boss, he reacted like a lawyer and threatened a lawsuit saying, “I’m warning you, tread very f**king lightly, because what I’m going to do to you is going to be f**king disgusting. You understand me?” Isn’t he a delight?