Donald Trump reportedly once ridiculed women who accused Bill Clinton of sexual abuse, saying the former president was a “victim” of “unattractive” women rather than an abuser.

The Republican politician has attempted to deflect criticism from his recent comments on groping by bringing women who have accused the former president of rape and sexual harassment as his guests to the second presidential debate. He also held a press conference prior to the event, in which one woman told press: “Bill Clinton raped me and Hillary Clinton threatened me”.

However, despite his now public stance that he is committed to supporting the women and ensuring their allegations against Ms Clinton's husband are heard, Mr Trump does not always appear to have been as supportive of the women.

In 1998, Mr Trump appeared on Fox News and said in response to allegations against Mr Clinton, according to the Daily Beast: “The whole thing is just so unattractive. Linda Tripp may be one of the most unattractive human beings I’ve ever seen- not women, human beings. She’s just an unattractive person. This [Lucianne] Goldberg person, her agent or whoever she is, is just a terrible woman.

“You look at Paula Jones, I mean the whole cast of characters. It’s like it’s from Hell. It’s a terrible group of people. The whole group, it’s truly unattractive cast of characters- Linda Tripp, Lucianne Goldberg- I mean, this woman- I watch her on television, just vomiting,” he reportedly added.

“She is so bad. The whole group- Paula Jones, Lewinsky- it’s just a really unattractive group. And I’m not just talking about physical, but I’m also talking about physical.”

Mr Trump then reportedly expressed sympathy with Mr Clinton, saying: “His victims are terrible. He is really a victim himself. But he put himself in that position.”

Mr Trump held a press conference hours before the live TV debate, which he streamed online on social media. In the footage, he can be seen sitting beside the women. In turn, they each cite their support for Mr Trump's candidacy and criticise the Clintons.

Paula Jones, a former Arkansas state employee who settled a harassment case against Mr Clinton in 1999, says: “I'm here to support Mr Trump because he's here to make America great again, and I think everyone else should vote for him, look at the fact that he is a good person, not what other people have said.”

Kathy Shelton, who was allegedly raped aged 12 and her alleged attacker was defended in court by Hillary Clinton when she was a lawyer, says: “I'm also here to support Donald Trump. At 12 years old, Hillary Clinton put me through something you should never put a 12-year-old through. and she says she is for women and children.”

Juanita Broaddrick, who has publicly accused Mr Clinton of rape, says: “I'm Juanita Broaddrick and I'm here to support Donald Trump. I tweeted recently and Mr Trump retweeted recently that I was raped by Bill Clinton. Actions speak louder than words, Mr Trump may have said some bad words, but Bill Clinton raped me and Hillary Clinton threatened me.”

Republican leaders backing away from Donald Trump after lewd remarks Show all 12 1 /12 Republican leaders backing away from Donald Trump after lewd remarks Republican leaders backing away from Donald Trump after lewd remarks Former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger Schwarzenegger said he will not vote for Trump Getty Republican leaders backing away from Donald Trump after lewd remarks Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Mr McConnell condemned the remarks, but has not unendorsed him Getty Republican leaders backing away from Donald Trump after lewd remarks House Speaker Paul Ryan Mr Ryan disinvited Mr Trump from a Wisconsin campaign event following the remarks Getty Republican leaders backing away from Donald Trump after lewd remarks Former Sec of State Condoleezza Rice Ms Rice called for Trump to withdraw his candidacy Getty Republican leaders backing away from Donald Trump after lewd remarks Nebraska Sen Deb Fischer Ms Fischer called on Trump to step aside and give nomination to Mike Pence Getty Republican leaders backing away from Donald Trump after lewd remarks Texas Sen Ted Cruz Mr Cruz denounced the remarks, but still endorses Trump Getty Republican leaders backing away from Donald Trump after lewd remarks Former Republican candidate Carly Fiorina Ms Fiorina wants Mike Pence to take the nomination Getty Republican leaders backing away from Donald Trump after lewd remarks Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt Hewitt called for Trump to step down Getty Republican leaders backing away from Donald Trump after lewd remarks Utah Representative Mia Love Ms Love said she cannot vote for Trump after hearing his remarks Getty Republican leaders backing away from Donald Trump after lewd remarks Former New York Gov George Pataki Mr Pataki said Mr Trump should step down Getty Republican leaders backing away from Donald Trump after lewd remarks New Hampshire Sen Kelly Ayotte Ms Ayotte will write in Mike Pence when she votes Getty Republican leaders backing away from Donald Trump after lewd remarks Arizona Sen John McCain Mr McCain will choose Mike Pence on Election Day Getty

Mr Trump’s focus on allegations regarding Ms Clinton’s husband appear to be a new strategy of his campaign following allegations against Mr Trump which emerged this weekend.

In footage released online, Mr Trump appears to use offensive language to describe women. He has since been urged to stand aside as Republican candidate by some critics.

“I’ve gotta use some Tic-Tacs, just in case I start kissing her,” Mr Trump says in one video. “You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful – I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait.”

“And when you’re a star they let you do it,” he adds. “You can do anything… Grab ’em by the p****.”