Trump endorses accused child molester Moore for US Senate

US President Donald Trump has officially endorsed the candidacy of Republican Senate hopeful Roy Moore, who has been accused of sexually assaulting and pursuing several teenage girls.

Moore is facing off against Democratic hopeful Doug Jones in a high-stakes special election in Alabama next week.

Trump, who had previously called the allegations against Moore as "very troubling," said on Monday he did not want to see the victory of the Democratic opponent of Moore, saying it "would be a disaster!"

Trump called Moore and offered his formal support ahead of the December 12 vote, according to the White House.

"The president had a positive call with Judge Roy Moore during which they discussed the state of the Alabama Senate race and the president endorsed Judge Moore's campaign," said White House principal deputy press secretary Raj Shah.

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The campaign team of Moore said the candidate was honored to have received Trump endorsement.

"President Trump knows that the future of his conservative agenda in Congress hinges on this election," Moore was quoted as saying.

"I look forward to fighting alongside the president to strengthen our military, secure our border, protect our gun rights, defend the sanctity of life, and confirm conservative judges to courts around this nation."

So far, nine women have come out against the Republican hopeful. Last month, The Washington Post published the first case. The report accused Moore of taking Leigh Corfman, now 53, into his house in the woods near Gadsden, when she was 14 years old, and abusing her by removing her shirt and pants.

Moore, 70, has denied the allegations, saying they are "not only untrue but they have no evidence to support them.”

Trump has previously said Moore, a former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice, should leave the race if the sexual misconduct allegations against him are true.  

"The president believes that these allegations are very troubling and should be taken seriously," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on November 16.

"The president said in his statement earlier this week that if the allegations are true, then Roy Moore should step aside. He still firmly believes that," she said.

She added the president backed the Republican National Committee (RNC)'s decision to withdraw resources from the contest.

RNC reinstates support for Moore

Following Trump’s endorsement of Moore, the RNC also reinstated its support of the 70-year-old controversial candidate after initially cutting ties with his campaign.

"We can confirm our involvement in the Alabama Senate race," an RNC official said.

"The RNC is the political arm of the president and we support the President,” the official added.

Trump, who himself has been accused of sexual impropriety, also said that he was happy that women are now coming forward accusing lawmakers and media figures, many of whom Democrats, of sexual misconduct.

This comes as the United States is grappling with a growing list of sexual assault and harassment scandals that rocked the world of entertainment, business and politics.

Others involved in such scandals include Democratic Senator Al Franken, renowned actor Kevin Spacey as well as Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

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