Law & Order: SVUwill air an episode inspired by Donald Trump weeks before the election, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The episode will center around a politician played by beloved character actor Gary Cole whose campaign is derailed by damaging accusations from several women. Currie Graham, Meredith Travers, Bianca Amato and returning guest Peter Gallagher will also co-star. The episode, titled Unstoppable, is scheduled to air October 26th at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.
While official word about Unstoppable comes amidst ongoing furor over a leaked 2005 video in which Trump makes degrading comments about women and brags about groping them without their permission, the episode has been in the works for some time. In September, SVUshowrunner Rick Eid told THR, It is possible we may try to explore a story involving some sort of brash demagogue with political ambitions.
While the timing of the release of the 2005 tape adds extra ripped-from-the-headlines relevancy to the upcomingepisode, Trump has provided Eid and the SVUstaff with plenty of fodder throughout his career and campaign. During the primaries, for instance, he insulted the appearances of Carly Fiorina and Ted Cruzs wife, Heidi, and also sparred with Fox News Megyn Kelly after she brought up his history of sexist comments at a debate (afterwards, he implied she was on her period). In May, The New York Timespublished an extensive report documenting Trumps history of making crude remarks and non-consensual advances towards women.