Trump backs Republican child molestor Roy Moore for Senate

US President Donald Trump has expressed his full support for Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore, despite allegations that he molested teenage girls several decades ago.

Trump threw his full weight behind Moore on Friday at a rally in the state of Florida, telling supporters to "get out and vote for Roy Moore."

"This country, the future of this country, cannot afford to lose a seat in the very, very close United States Senate. We can't afford it, folks," Trump said, reaffirming his backing for Moore in next week's closely-watched election in Alabama.

"Get out and vote for Roy Moore. Do it, do it," Trump said at a campaign-style rally in Pensacola, Florida, just across from the Alabama state line.

He said Moore was needed in the Senate to protect sensitive issues for Republicans, such as boosting funding for the military, gun rights and restricting immigration.

Earlier this week, Trump officially endorsed the “conservative Christian” in the December 12 election , a reversal after he initially characterized the accusations against Moore as "very troubling."

Moore, a 70-year-old former state judge, stands accused of sexually harassing several teenage girls during his thirties in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The Alabama election, which is being held to replace US Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who Trump named to head the US Justice Department, has national repercussions because  Republican senators hold a slim 52-48 majority in the upper chamber of Congress. A defeat for Moore would make it 51-49.

Trump’s endorsement comes as the country grapples with snowballing allegations of harassment and assault in the worlds of politics, media and Hollywood.  

On Friday, a former syndicated Fox News host accused Trump of trying to kiss her in an elevator over a decade ago, which she said surprised her but did not make her feel threatened.

“He took me for lunch at Trump Tower, just us two,” Juliet Huddy said on Compound Media. “He said goodbye to me in an elevator while his security guy was there; rather than kiss me on the cheek he leaned in to kiss me on the lips.”

Huddy, who previously co-hosted a syndicated show at Fox News-affiliate channel WNYW in New York City, said that while she was not offended at the time, in retrospect, she would have resisted his actions.

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