@Alyssa_Milano/Twitter
- Actress and women’s rights activist Alyssa Milano is defending former Vice President Joe Biden amid accusations he inappropriately touched and kissed women several years ago.
- "I am proud to call Joe Biden a friend," Milano said in a series of tweets on Monday. "He has been a leader and a champion on fighting violence against women for many years, and I have been fortunate to accompany him to events with survivors where he has listened to their stories, empathized with them, and comforted them."
- Last week, Lucy Flores, a former Nevada state legislator, claimed Biden grasped her shoulders and kissed the back of her head in 2014.
- Milano, an outspoken activist and supporter of the #MeToo movement, said she respects Flores’ decision to tell her story, and said her views of Biden did not diminish Flores’ accusation.
- "I believe that Joe Biden’s intent has never been to make anyone uncomfortable, and that his kind, empathetic leadership is what our country needs. Especially now," Milano added.
Actress and women’s rights activist Alyssa Milano on Monday defended former Vice President Joe Biden amid accusations he inappropriately touched and kissed women several years ago.
"I am proud to call Joe Biden a friend," Milano said in a series of tweets. "He has been a leader and a champion on fighting violence against women for many years, and I have been fortunate to accompany him to events with survivors where he has listened to their stories, empathized with them, and comforted them."
"Joe Biden’s response that he never meant to make anyone uncomfortable and that he’ll listen and learn from anyone who says otherwise is exactly the leadership we need to build a culture where women are heard and are equal," Milano added.
Milano’s statement comes amid public accusations from at least two women who said Biden inappropriately touched and kissed them.
Lucy Flores, a former Nevada state legislator, claimed Biden grabbed her shoulders and kissed the back of her head in 2014: "He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head," she wrote in New York Magazine. "My brain couldn’t process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused."
Screenshot via CNN
Following Flores’ account, Amy Lappos, a former congressional aide, said Biden had acted inappropriately during a 2009 fundraiser for Democratic Rep. Jim Himes.
"It wasn’t sexual, but he did grab me by the head," Lappos said in an interview with The Hartford Courant published on Monday. "He put his hand around my neck and pulled me in to rub noses with me. When he was pulling me in, I thought he was going to kiss me on the mouth."
Milano, an outspoken activist and supporter of the #MeToo movement, said she respected Flores’ decision to tell her story, and that her views of Biden did not diminish Flores’ accusation.
In October 2018, Milano emphatically supported Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault during his confirmation to the Supreme Court. Milano continues to be an advocate for sexual assault victims following her own alleged account of an assault from Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.
"I respect Lucy Flores’ decision to share her story and agree with Biden that we all must pay attention to it," Milano said on Twitter. "But, just as we must believe women that decide to come forward, we cannot assume all women’s experiences are the same."
"I believe that Joe Biden’s intent has never been to make anyone uncomfortable, and that his kind, empathetic leadership is what our country needs. Especially now," she added.
Flores and Lappos’ accusations come amid speculation surrounding Biden’s potential 2020 US presidential bid. Biden, who himself has been an advocate for sexual assault victims, said he did not believe he had acted inappropriately at the time of the allegations.
"In my many years on the campaign trail and in public life, I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort," Biden said in a statement. "And not once — never — did I believe I acted inappropriately. If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully. But it was never my intention."
See Also:
- Democratic politician Lucy Flores has accused Joe Biden of touching and kissing her inappropriately in 2014
- An adviser to Stacey Abrams slammed Joe Biden’s reported interest in her for Vice President as ‘exploitative’ and ‘entitled’
- Americans’ ideal presidential candidate is a lot younger than Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, or Trump
SEE ALSO: Joe Biden’s second public accuser says his alleged behavior is ‘not grandfatherly’
Source: Business Insider – dchoi@businessinsider.com (David Choi)