“There was stuff he was coming out with, what he was saying about women he had known in the past, and Penny said ‘you’re not going — he’s a disgrace’.”
Rod Stewart said he used to go to Donald Trump's Christmas parties and balls. Photo / Getty Images
In the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, a tape emerged of Trump boasting about grabbing women by the genitals.
In the 2005 recording, Trump was heard bragging to TV host Billy Bush about trying to have sex with a married woman.
Speaking in 2018 about his friendship with Trump, Sir Rod said: “Let me just clear up the situation. I’ve known Trump for a long time. I’ve done concerts for him in his casinos. I live probably three-quarters of a mile down the road from him on the beach in Florida.
“He’s always been extremely nice to me. He’s let my friends use his golf course for nothing, and I’ve had no problems with him at all.
“Is he a great president? Nah. I think his moral compass is way off. But on the other hand the country’s doing extremely well, although I believe part of that was down to President Obama — the country was starting to do great anyway, he’s just carrying it on.
“But we’ll see with the mid-term elections. It does seem like the walls are closing in on my dear friend.”
Last month Trump was found liable for the sexual abuse of the former columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996, and ordered to pay her damages of US$5 million ($8m).
The 76-year-old, who is making a bid for a return to the Oval Office, is also facing federal charges over his handling of classified papers after leaving the White House.