Opinion: Alicia Machado’s background is less important than Donald Trump’s attitude toward women

To the editor: What was the point in The Times delving into the background of Alicia Machado? (“Trump says former Miss Universe was tied to a murder attempt. So what did happen in Venezuela?” Oct. 2)

She was not brought into the discussion because she is a paragon of virtue, but because Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump characteristically treated her with disrespect and disdain years ago and because his dealings with the former Miss University reflect his misogyny.

Trump and his team tried to dig up dirt on Machado that has nothing to do with the issue at hand. That kind of misdirection is apparently not troublesome to his supporters, but it does point out the tactics used to sully those who are witnesses to his unsavory past and present behavior.

Trump’s surrogates complain about the Machado story hanging around. Had Trump ignored the matter, it would have died quietly overnight. This article obscures the point and leads nowhere.

Stu Olster, Laguna Hills

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To the editor: I am appalled by this article. It could have been written by the Trump team.

The idea that it is OK to blame Machado and that somehow makes it OK to throw mud at her makes me sick. It’s similar to a rape defendant’s lawyer trying to smear the victim.

I would have expected better from The Times. I guess I’m out of touch.

Tom Burton, Van Nuys

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