Former University of Georgia American football star Herschel Walker, a Republican candidate for the US Senate, is coming under fire amid allegations that he once funded an ex-girlfriend’s abortion.
According to the Daily Beast, Mr Walker paid to have a former girlfriend’s pregnancy terminated, claims that she has backed up with an image of a cheque from the Heisman Trophy winner, a get well card bearing his signature, and a receipt from the clinic.
Mr Walker, who says he wants a ban on abortion, “no exceptions”, is running against the pro-choice preacher and incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock.
Mr Walker has challenged the bombshell accusation as a "lie" and has vowed to sue the website for defamation, a page right out of his supporter former president Donald Trump's playbook.
"I can tell you right now — I never asked anyone to get an abortion. I never paid for an abortion, it's a lie," he told Fox News.
When asked about the cheque, Mr Walker said: "I send money to a lot of people."
Walker versus Warnock — in pictures
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Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock emerged victorious in a special run-off election to claim seats in the US Senate. AP -
Herschel Walker with his wife Julie celebrating his Republican primary win in Atlanta, Georgia. AP -
Mr Warnock speaks to people rallying for voters' rights on Capitol Hill in Washington. AFP -
Mr Walker, a Republican candidate for the Senate and a vocal abortion opponent, is facing allegations that he paid for his then-girlfriend to terminate her pregnancy in 2009. Getty Images / AFP -
First lady Jill Biden and Mr Warnock look on as a man is vaccinated against Covid-19 in Savannah, Georgia. AP -
Ms Biden gets a pie to-go at Green Truck Neighbourhood Pub in Savannah with Mr Warnock. AP -
Mr Walker has received support from alt-right groups across the country. Reuters -
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris talk to Mr Warnock at the entry to Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, where he serves as pastor. Reuters -
The historic Ebenezer Baptist Church was once headed by civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. AP -
Ms Harris during a Get Out The Vote campaign event featuring Mr Warnock and Mr Ossoff. Bloomberg -
Mr Warnock raised $9.8 million in the last quarter of 2021, nearly double the fundraising haul reported by Mr Walker. AP -
Mr Walker is endorsed by former US president Donald Trump. Reuters -
Mr Walker on his Unite Georgia Bus Tour in Forsyth, Georgia, home to historic KKK marches and subsequent protests. EPA -
Mr Warnock meets Korean-American seniors on the campaign trail in Norcross, Georgia. EPA -
The special election and victory of Mr Warnock in 2020 changed the balance of the US Senate. EPA
His son Christian has responded to the latest contention in a series of tweets accusing his father of lying and making a "mockery" of the family.
"Every family member of Herschel Walker asked him not to run for office, because we all knew (some of) his past. Every single one," he wrote.
"He decided to give us the middle finger and air out all of his dirty laundry."
When asked by the Daily Beast why she has chosen to come forward, the woman referenced his hardline anti-abortion position that does not include exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the woman.
“I just can’t with the hypocrisy anymore,” she said. “We all deserve better.”
Mr Walker’s camp said the allegations are completely false.
Throughout the campaign, the former NFL running back has acknowledged having three children out of wedlock, faced accusations from his ex-wife that he held a gun to her head and threatened to kill her, and was caught lying about his education and former employment.
Cindy Grossman, who filed an order of protection in Dallas, Texas, in 2005, told ABC News and CNN that her former husband also threatened her with knives and was frequently violent.
The Georgia campaign trail — in pictures
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Former vice president Mike Pence campaigns with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp at rally in Kennesaw, Georgia, despite former president Donald Trump's support of Mr Kemp's opponent. EPA -
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene during her campaign stop in Georgia. Getty / AFP -
US Senator Raphael Warnock casts his ballot in the state's general primary at a Fulton County polling station in Atlanta, Georgia. Reuters -
Former Republican Senator David Perdue, who is hoping to take over from Brian Kemp as the Governor of Georgia, speaks at a campaign event in Covington. Reuters -
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp during a visit to a gun shop in Smyrna as he pushes for a new state law to loosen requirements to carry a handgun in public. Reuters -
Stacey Abrams addresses a Democratic Party fundraiser in Norcross, Georgia. AP -
Georgia Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker signs a soda bottle commemorating the 1980 football championship he won with the University of Georgia in Columbus. AP -
Congressman Sanford Bishop, the Democratic incumbent of 30 years, is likely to face his toughest re-election campaign in a decade, with six Republicans running in the May 24 primary in the hopes of challenging the state's senior congressman. AP -
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks during a Bikers for Trump campaign event held at the Crazy Acres Bar and Grill in Plainville, Georgia. Getty / AFP -
Mr Perdue and Ms Taylor Greene talk during a Bikers for Trump campaign event at the Crazy Acres Bar and Grill in Plainville, Georgia. Getty / AFP -
Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie spoke at a campaign event for Governor Brian Kemp on May 17, 2022 in Canton, Georgia. Getty / AFP -
Democratic congressional candidate Marcus Flowers is running for Georgia's 14th seat, which is held by Republican US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. EPA -
Carolyn Bourdeaux will face fellow Democrat Congresswoman Lucy McBath in this year's primary after district lines were redrawn. Atlanta Journal-Constitution / AP -
Ms McBath is facing one of the toughest primaries in Georgia. AP
Mr Walker also falsely stated that he graduated as valedictorian from his middle Georgia high school, was in the top one per cent of his graduating class at the University of Georgia (he never graduated) and once worked in law enforcement, including a stint at the FBI.
Mr Walker is currently five percentage points behind Mr Warnock, according to a Quinnipiac University Poll.
"Herschel Walker is down but not out of the race for Senate. However, incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock rides the overwhelming support of African Americans and wins big on favourability, the catchall polling measurement for everything from character to potential job performance," said Quinnipiac polling analyst Tim Malloy.
Meanwhile, a three-way debate between Mr Walker, Mr Warnock and Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver, scheduled for October 14 in Savannah, Georgia, has been cancelled.
Trump's alt-right rallies — in pictures
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Supporters of former US president Donald Trump and America First ideology participate in Stop the Steal and Million Maga (Make America Great Again) March protests after the 2020 presidential election was called for Joe Biden. Reuters -
A woman wears a jacket reading 'Maga King' at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Texas. Reuters -
A new take on the red Maga hat seen at CPAC in Dallas. Reuters -
Mr Trump tosses Maga hats to the crowd as he arrives for a Save America rally at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Delaware, Ohio. EPA -
Maga Mall president Ronald Solomon sells merchandise at CPAC. Reuters -
A liberal voter in Georgia said that Trump supporters have made it impossible to ever wear a red hat again. Reuters -
A Trump supporter sells merchandise during the Save America rally at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Conroe, Texas. Getty Images / AFP -
During the 2016 presidential election, it was found that a large portion of Maga merchandise was made in China. Getty Images / AFP -
Texans at the Save America rally earlier this year. Getty Images / AFP -
Despite no evidence of fraud and Joe Biden's certification by Congress, Maga supporters still insist that Mr Trump won the 2020 presidential election. Reuters -
Maga supporters in Scottsdale, Arizona, kit out their dogs. Reuters -
People cheer at a Maga rally in Sarasota, Florida. Getty Images / AFP -
The Republican Party of Florida co-sponsored this Maga rally last year. Getty Images / AFP -
A woman wears a red Maga hat in Sarasota. Getty Images / AFP -
For some, Maga isn't just a movement, it is a way of life. Getty Images / AFP -
A Maga supporter speaks during a rally. Getty Images / AFP -
A Trump supporters in Sarasota shows his Maga pride. Getty Images / AFP
