Accused Southwest plane groper: 'US president said it was ok'

A man is claimed to have cited US President Donald Trump as his defence after he allegedly groped a woman.

Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines. Source: Springfield News-Leader

A US man who allegedly groped a woman during a Southwest flight from Houston to New Mexico claimed "the president of the United States says it's OK to grab women by their private parts".

In an affidavit, a woman has alleged a man made sexual contact with another passenger by "touching her breast, without their permission".

Following the incident, the unnamed woman confronted the man on the flight and changed seat after alerting a flight attendant.

Neither the woman or the man alleged to have groped her claimed to be drinking.

The accused later told the FBI that the "President of the United States says it's ok to grab women by their private parts" after he was arrested.

Southwest Airlines told Time Magazine: "On Sunday, airline supervisors and local law enforcement officers met flight 5421 upon its arrival in Albuquerque from Houston after allegations of inappropriate behaviour by a passenger inflight. Our reports indicate that during the flight, the crew reseated at least one customer onboard".

"We take protection of our customers very seriously, and safety is at the forefront of everything we do at Southwest."

The man's hearing is on Tuesday, US time.

In 2016, Mr Trump apologised for lewd comments and claimed it was "locker room banter", after an audio tape - from 2015 - was released of him claiming he is able to "grab" women "by the p***y".


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By Riley Morgan


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Accused Southwest plane groper: 'US president said it was ok' | SBS News