Jennifer Palmieri said Hillary Clinton is "prepared to handle whatever Donald Trump throws her way.” Clinton campaign: Trump panel an 'act of desperation'

Hillary Clinton’s campaign quickly hit back at Donald Trump for hosting a surprise panel with women who have accused Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct ahead of their second debate on Sunday, labeling the move a “stunt” and “act of desperation.”

“We’re not surprised to see Donald Trump continue his destructive race to the bottom,” Jennifer Palmieri, the campaign’s communications director, said in a statement. “As always, she’s prepared to handle whatever Donald Trump throws her way.”


Palmieri also said: “Hillary Clinton understands the opportunity in this town hall is to talk to voters on stage and in the audience about the issues that matter to them, and this stunt doesn’t change that. If Donald Trump doesn’t see that, that’s his loss.”

Trump's campaign was upended on Friday after a tape from 2005 emerged showing him bragging about sexual assault. Dozens of Republicans have condemned the remarks in the two days since, and some have called on him to drop out of the race.

The debate begins at 9 p.m. Sunday in St. Louis.