Donald Trump may or may not be familiar with the phrase “the pot calling the kettle black,” but he’s doing a remarkable job of demonstrating it. The sitting president, who has been accused of sexual misconduct (in varying forms) by dozens of women, blasted former Vice President Joe Biden while giving a seemingly unrelated speech at a conservative fundraiser. Trump, too, denies all of the allegations against him.
For a little background: Lucy Flores, a former Nevada politician, alleged that Biden touched her inappropriately at a 2014 campaign event. Specifically, she recalls that he approached her from behind, kissed her head, and smelled her hair. Biden denies these allegations.
Biden has a documented history of similar allegations against him, including whispering in women’s ears, touching their faces, and rubbing noses. No matter what you want to call it—inappropriate touching, sexual misconduct, harassment, or so on—it’s wrong no matter what side of the political aisle the person is on. If true, it’s no more excusable because Biden is seen as an otherwise likable guy, or even if some women clarify that they weren’t bothered by his actions. Allegations always, always need to be taken seriously.
With Biden in particular, mainstream media has done a decent job at glazing over the numerous allegations that have built up over the years. But perhaps the very last person who should feel high and mighty about it is Trump. And, of course, because Trump has absolutely zero self-awareness, he can’t resist using a woman’s story to take a jab at a competitor.
While giving a speech at a fundraiser for the National Republican Congressional Committee, Trump used a bizarre story about a conversation he’d had with a general to loop in the recent allegation and mock Biden.
“I said, ‘General, give me a kiss.’ I felt like Joe Biden. But I meant it,” the president said, at which the crowd laughed uncomfortably.
Here’s the clip, for more context:
Of course, it doesn’t end there. The Great America PAC (a pro-Trump political action committee) released an ad called “Creepy Joe Biden.” Basically, the ad uses Flores’s brave telling of her story as a background to an ad that (basically) suggests Biden is a bad example for America’s kids.
The website includes the following text:
“The former Vice President’s history of predatory behavior is coming font [sic] and center and our new ad ‘Creepy Joe’ details the recent accusations. This behavior is unacceptable and should instantly disqualify anyone considering running for the highest public office in 2020.”
Instantly disqualify, huh? Who else would that sentiment apply to … ?
In a statement on Sunday, Biden claimed he offered “countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort” during his years in office. “And not once—never—did I believe I acted inappropriately,” the former vice president and likely 2020 hopeful continued. Of course, simply believing you acted appropriately doesn’t mean that you did, in fact, act appropriately.