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Donald Trump's Adviser Apologizes for Saying, "You Can't Rape Your Spouse"
Why did he say it in the first place?
One of Donald Trump's top advisers has apologized after comments he made in an interview while defending the Republican presidential candidate from a rape accusation.
Cohen, special counsel to Trump, who happens to also be an executive vice president at The Trump Organization, said in an interview Monday with The Daily Beast that legally "you can't rape your spouse."
"It is true," he said. "You cannot rape your spouse. And there's very clear case law."
In fact, marital rape has been illegal in all 50 states since 1993 (and legality aside, is horrible no matter what the ruling is). His claim came after an accusation by Trump's ex-wife Ivana Trump, who accused him of rape in the early '90s during divorce proceedings - a story she has since backed away from.
Cohen apologized Tuesday for his comments in a statement to CNN, calling them "inarticulate," and a result of "shock and anger."
"As an attorney, husband and father there are many injustices that offend me but nothing more than charges of rape or racism. They hit me at my core. Rarely am I surprised by the press, but the gall of this particular reporter to make such a reprehensible and false allegation against Mr. Trump truly stunned me. In my moment of shock and anger, I made an inarticulate comment -- which I do not believe -- and which I apologize for entirely," he said.
Here's a timeline of every time Donald Trump ran for president
Cohen, also one of Trump's lawyers, had also threatened to sue the Daily Beast reporter, warning to "tread very f---ing lightly, because what I'm going to do to you is going to be f---ing disgusting."
Meanwhile, Ivana Trump also issued a statement saying that the Daily Beast story "is totally without merit."
"I have recently read some comments attributed to me from nearly 30 years ago at a time of very high tension during my divorce from Donald. The story is totally without merit. Donald and I are the best of friends and together have raised three children that we love and are very proud of. I have nothing but fondness for Donald and wish him the best of luck on his campaign. Incidentally, I think he would make an incredible president," she said.