CNN host Jake Tapper excoriated Donald Trump for “rank hypocrisy” after the President, whom numerous women have accused of unwanted sexual advances, condemned Sen Al Franken for groping a woman.

Mr Franken swiftly issued a public apology on Thursday after broadcaster Leanna Tweeden accused the Minnesota Democrat of having non-consensually kissed and groped her during a 2006 tour. Ms Tweeden released a photo of Mr Franken - then a professional comedian who had not yet been elected to office - touching her breasts as she slept.

In response, Mr Trump said on Twitter that the picture “is really bad, speaks a thousand words”, wondering where “his hands go…while she sleeps”.

“And to think that just last week he was lecturing anyone who would listen about sexual harassment and respect for women,” Mr Trump added.

But as Mr Tapper pointed out, the President has batted away sexual misconduct claims that so far outnumber the allegations against Mr Franken. Numerous women have alleged Mr Trump kissed or groped them without his consent, and Mr Tapper used his segment to recount a dozen of those accounts.

Mr Trump has denied engaging in sexual misconduct, saying during the campaign that his accusers were “liars” and their claims were a “total fabrication”. Last week White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders affirmed that, in the words of a reporter, “the official White House position” is “that all these women are lying”.

“In Trump’s world we’re supposed to believe the very compelling claims of Leanna Tweeden”, Mr Tapper said, “but we are not supposed to believe these women” who have accused the President.

In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Show all 32 1 /32 In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London An image of President Donald Trump is seen on a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A view of the skywriting word reading 'Trump' as thousands rally in support of equal rights in Sydney, New South Wales EPA In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome People shout and hold signs during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A protester holds a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille A placard ready 'Pussy grabs back' is attached to the handle bar of a bike during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in 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Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Protesters take part in the Melbourne rally to protest against the Trump Inauguration in Melbourne, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters take part in the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Womens march on Melbourne protestors marching during a rally where rights groups marched in solidarity with Americans to speak out against misogyny, bigotry and hatred Rex In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau, Macau. 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Noting that Republicans have distanced themselves from Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore, who has been accused of engaging in sexual misconduct with several women including while some of them were teenagers (Mr Moore has said he “never engaged in sexual misconduct”), Mr Tapper asked: “Why do you believe the Roy Moore accuser but you do not believe those who accuse Donald Trump?”

He then replayed a tape, leaked during the presidential election, in which Mr Trump can be heard boasting about sexual assault and saying “you can do anything” with women.