Washington: President Donald Trump defended Roy Moore, the Alabama Republican Senate candidate accused of sexual misconduct with minors, saying Tuesday that Moore "totally denies" the allegations against him.

Trump said that Alabama voters should not support Doug Jones, the Democratic candidate running against Moore in a special election next month.

"We don't need a liberal person in there, a Democrat, Jones," Trump said. "I've looked at his record. It's terrible on crime. It's terrible on the border. It's terrible on the military."

Trump declined to say whether he would campaign for Moore in the final days before the election, adding that he would let reporters know next week about his plans. Asked by a reporter whether electing an accused child molester is better than electing a Democrat, Trump responded by saying that Moore denies the charges against him.