President Trump Says Sexual Assault Allegations Against Him Are 'Fake News'

WASHINGTON, DC — President Trump gave a surprise press conference with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in the Rose Garden on Monday, cancelling a previously scheduled press briefing by Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Asked about multiple sexual assault and harassment allegations against him, he said they were "fake news."

"All I can say is it's totally fake news — just fake," he said. "It's fake, it's made-up stuff. And it's disgraceful what happens."

Trump added: "That happens in the world of politics." (For more information on this and other political stories, subscribe to the White House Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

The question came in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment and assault against Hollywood titan Harvey Weinstein that spanned decades. Weinstein has been fired by the film production company he helped create. Trump's campaign has also recently been subpoenaed for documents by one of the women who accused him of sexual misconduct, according to multiple outlets, including NBC.

Trump famously admitted to grabbing women sexually without their consent in a video from the show "Access Hollywood," describing encounters very similar to some of those alleged by his accusers.

During the press conference, Trump said he and McConnell are "closer than ever before" despite their recent public feuding. He said they are working hard on tax reform and overhauling Obamacare. Despite Congress's failure to pass an Obamacare replacement this summer, Trump said Republicans will try to dismantle the law again early in 2018.

Watch: Trump, McConnell Relationship Is 'Outstanding'

"My relationship with this gentleman is outstanding," Trump said of McConnell, Kentucky's senior senator. Trump also added that his achievements in appointing judges have largely gone unnoticed. McConnell said Trump's single most important accomplishment was the appointment of Justice Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

Trump also denounced the investigation into his campaign's involvement with Russia, being conducted by a special counsel and GOP-led congressional committees.

"The whole Russia thing was an excuse for the Democrats losing an election," Trump said. "There has been absolutely no collusion ... they ought to get to the end of it" because people are sick of it, he added.

The president also got a question about Hillary Clinton and the NFL and took the occasion to implore her to run again in 2020.

You can watch a replay of the press conference with the president here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images