Donald Trump has used a racist nickname to refer to Cornell 7 investigator Letitia James as he admitted feeling 'badly' for the accused rapists. The US president called the New York attorney general 'Peekaboo' James, branding her 'corrupt' after she was appointed to probe the case.
'Why would the Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, appoint a Corrupt Prosecutor, Letitia “Peekaboo” James, to represent the State in the highly controversial Cornell University rape case?', he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Trump's remarks on the accused
Trump had previously told the press he believed Cornell University was a 'fine school' that would do 'what's right' in response to the allegations that seven of its fraternity members had drugged and gang-raped a female student for hours at a house party. But he told reporters that he felt for the seven alleged rapists, insisting they 'wouldn't get a fair hearing' with James in charge.
He said: 'Letitia James is a corrupt person. She's totally corrupt and I can't imagine it. I feel badly for whoever she's looking at because they won't get a fair shake.'
Reaction to the nickname
Trump's 'peekaboo' nickname for James has sparked theories he is trying to be racist, with social media users saying he wishes to use an insult that rhymes with 'peekaboo' and begins with the letter J.
James has a history with Trump, having successfully prosecuted the Republican president on 34 counts of falsifying business records before he returned to the White House in 2025. The case resulted in the businessman and property magnate being fined more than $400 million, however the penalty was later waived for being excessive.
James and Cornell respond
In a statement on Friday, James said: 'I stand ready to lead a process guided by the facts and the law. In the coming months, my office will dutifully carry out the responsibilities the governor has conferred upon us in this executive order.
'We will review the facts, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and, if warranted, pursue prosecutions. I know that you want answers. I do too.'
Cornell University defended its handling of the allegations, having closed the Chi Phi chapter which is now barred from the campus. In an interview transcript obtained by CBS, the victim said she 100 per cent certain she was raped and was physically hit 'very, very hard'.
James' appointment as investigator was backed by New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani. He wrote on X: 'The allegations in the Cornell sexual assault case are deeply disturbing and gut-wrenching. Cornell University has failed this survivor.
'I fully support Governor Hochul's decision to name Attorney General James as special prosecutor in this case and look forward to the complete and extensive investigation that is to come.
'Accountability and justice cannot simply be values, they must also be delivered.'
