I need to preface this by saying that when Melania Trump actually, literally, really and truly let the words “They’re asking for it” escape her mouth, she wasn’t talking about Trump’s alleged sexual abuse victims. So, you know, things could be worse.

She did, however, say the words “They’re asking for it,” along with “They started it,” in reference to whether talking about Bill Clinton’s past is a valid political tactic. Because this election season is taking place one an elementary school playground. Or, more fittingly, on the Lord of the Flies island. And we’re all Piggy, aren’t we?

He held back for the first debate, but we all knew that eventually Trump would try to use Bill Clinton’s infidelities as a weapon against Hillary’s character. (Because sure, a woman who didn’t divorce her husband and partner isn’t presidential material, but a man who lies and cheats in every area of his life is a top level choice.) He invited Bill’s accusers to the second debate, and even tried to seat them in the box reserved for the candidates’ families, in an attempt to embarrass and intimidate Hillary. The Trump campaign has also spent the last week trying to form a connection between Bill Clinton and Bill Cosby, and Trump’s lowliest supporters made despicable (deplorable, even) hashtags like #NextFakeTrumpVictim.

Earlier today, Melania Trump sat down with Fox News’ Ainsley Earhardt, who asked if Melania— who openly criticized her husband’s disgusting behavior in that Access Hollywood video, but also now says she thought he was “egged on” into “boy talk” by Billy Bush— if she could stand by these tactics.

“Is it fair for the media to bring up Bill Clinton’s past or for Donald Trump to bring up Bill Clinton’s past?” Earhardt asked Mrs. Trump. “Well, if they bring up my past, why not?” she responded.

Earhardt clarified, asking “So they — they’re asking for it?” If that’s putting words in Melania’s mouth, she sure likes the way they taste.

They’re asking for it. They started. They started the — from the beginning of the campaign putting my picture from modeling days. That was my modeling days and I’m proud what I did. I worked very hard.

There you have it. “They”— meaning, I suppose, the internet— put pictures from Melania’s modeling days out there, so Trump is justified in ignoring and belittling his own accusers of sexual abuse in order to focus on the husband of his opponent. They started it. They’re asking for it.

Deep breath, everybody.

From AdWeek via Uproxx.