Former US President Donald Trump, himself accused of sexually harassing multiple women, is holding a rally on Sunday in Greenwood, in support of Nebraska’s Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster, who stands accused of groping several women.

As many as eight women have levelled sexual harassment and misconduct allegations against Herbster, who, prior to running in the gubernatorial race, had been a wealthy Republican donor who made much of his fortune selling bull semen.

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When the allegations against Herbster became public, Politico reported that Trump opted to advise the Republican candidate and urged him to fight back harder. The former US President reportedly also endorsed Herbster’s plans “to hold a press conference aggressively denying the allegations and pushing back at his adversaries.”

Two of those who have accused Herbster thus far have identified themselves by name.

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Among them is Elizabeth Todsen, whose accusation against Herbster got published on the Nebraska Examiner on Friday. Todsen accused Herbster of touching her without consent at the 2019 Elephant Remembers fundraiser event for the Douglas County Republican Party, an incident confirmed by Todsen’s friend, who saw it happen first-hand.

“It was just all a blur after that happened, because it was all I could think about. I just remember sitting there, and we were listening to the speakers … thinking, How do you support this man?’,” Todsen told the Examiner.

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Herbster has also been accused by GOP State Senator Julie Slama, with the Examiner reporting that the gubernatorial hopeful “reached up [Slama’s] skirt, without her consent, and touched her inappropriately.”

While Herbster’s other accusers have not identified themselves by name, Rolling Stones reports that the Republican candidate has been described by accusers as “creepy and controlling.”

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Herbster, however, maintains he is innocent: when the news initially broke, Herbster’s campaign manager Ellen Keast denied any wrong-doing, saying, “This is a political hit-piece built on 100% false and baseless claims.”

“Charles W. Herbster has a lifetime record of empowering women to lead. His company, farm, and campaign are all run by women. Despite leading hundreds of employees, not once has his reputation been attacked in this disgusting manner,” Keast had further said, defending the embattled Republican.