Brett Kavanaugh Denies Michael Avenatti’s ‘Gang Rape’ Accusations: ‘Totally False and Outrageous’
In a surreal, unprecedented moment in American history, a nominee for the Supreme Court of the United States issued a televised denial Monday that he ever took part in or knew of “gang rapes” at parties in the 1980s.
On Sunday, lawyer Michael Avenatti, who represents adult film star Stormy Daniels, said he was aware of “significant evidence” that Brett Kavanaugh was involved in “gang rapes” and urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate.
“That’s totally false and outrageous,” Kavanaugh told Fox News’ Martha MacCallum. “Yes, there were parties and the drinking age was 18, and yes, the seniors were legal and had beer there. And yes, people might have had too many beers there on occasions. And people generally in high school, I think all of us, have done things we look back on in high school and regret or cringe a bit. But that’s not what we’re talking about.”
Also Read: Brett Kavanaugh Says He Was a Virgin at Time of Accusations; Critics Say It's Irrelevant (Video)
“We’re taking about an allegation of sexual assault and I never sexually assaulted anyone,” Kavanaugh said, his wife Ashley sitting beside him.
Besides the new Avenatti accusations — for which the attorney has provided no evidence — Kavanaugh has been accused of sexual misconduct by two other women.
His Yale classmate, Deborah Ramirez, said that he once put his penis in front of her face after a night of drinking, and Dr. Blassey Ford said that he drunkenly groped her, held her down against her will and tried to rape her when they were teenagers.
Also Read: Third Brett Kavanaugh Accuser to Go Public in Next 48 Hours, Lawyer Says
“I did not have sexual intercourse or anything close to sexual intercourse or for many years thereafter,” he told MacCallum. “And the girls from the schools I went to and I were friends…”
“So you’re saying that all through all these years that are in question you were a virgin?” MacCallum replied.
“That’s correct,” said Kavanaugh.
“Never had sexual intercourse with anyone in high school?” she asked.
“Correct,” he replied.
“And through what years in college, since we’re probing into your personal life?” MacCallum asked.
“Many years after, I’ll leave it at that, many years after” Kavanaugh said, though it was unclear if he was referring to “many years” after high school or “many years” after college.
Also Read: Ronan Farrow Says Second Kavanaugh Accuser Came Forward Because 'Senate Democrats Began Looking'
Others noted, however, that neither Ramirez nor Ford had accused him of sexual intercourse.
Kavanaugh seemed to be trying to address that point with his comment that he had also never done “anything close to sexual intercourse.”
“Kavanaugh has been accused of exposing himself to one woman and pinning another down while trying to disrobe her. Being a virgin wouldn’t disprove either of those allegations,” noted Axios political reporter Alexi McCammond on Twitter.
“Just need to point out that none of the accusations against Kavanaugh preclude him from being a virgin,” tweeted political reporter Kelly Cohen.
In another notable moment, Kavanaugh seemed to adopted a “mistaken-identity” defense to deny Ford’s contention that he held her down and tried to take off her clothes and rape her when they were in high school.
“I am not questioning and have not questioned that perhaps Dr. Ford at some point in her life was sexually assaulted by someone in someplace. But what I know is I’ve never sexually assaulted anyone,” he said.
“I was never at any such party,” he went on to say. “The other people who alleged to be present have said they do not remember any such party. A woman who was present, another woman who was present who was Dr. Ford’s lifelong friend has said she doesn’t know me and never remembers being at a party with me at any time in her life.”
He categorically denied anything occurred between him and Ford and said he would not withdraw his name from consideration.
“We’re looking for a fair process, where I can be heard and defend my integrity, my lifelong record of promoting dignity and equality for women, starting with the women who knew me when I was 14 years old,” Kavanaugh said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Kavanaugh’s defenders have caught criticism for the mistaken-identity approach in the past. Some of his defenders have used the approach to signal that they are not calling Ford a liar, but believe she is mistaken about who attacked her.
Ashley Kavanaugh said the last few days have been “very difficult,” adding that she felt “badly” for Ford.
“I dont know what happened to her,” she said. “This process is not right.”
She added that the past few days were particularly challenging for their two daughters, Margaret, 13, and Elizabeth, 10.
“They know Brett,” she said. “They know the truth and we told them at the very beginning of this process this will be not fun sometimes, you’re going to hear things… and just remember, you know your dad.”
"The truth is, I've never sexually assaulted anyone." —Brett Kavanaugh
Watch @marthamaccallum's full interview with Judge Kavanaugh and his wife Ashley tonight on Fox News Channel at 7p ET. https://t.co/QFmLfIwW4R pic.twitter.com/iWVoDt2ADc
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 24, 2018
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