Biden Accuser Leaves Democrats Struggling to Reconcile #MeToo
- Biden denies ‘90s allegations that he sexually assaulted aide
- Democrats say Reade should be ‘heard’ but still back Biden
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A former aide’s allegation that Joe Biden sexually assaulted her nearly 30 years ago has put Democrats into a quandary, as they try to square their support for the #MeToo movement with their backing of a nominee who now stands accused himself.
Tara Reade says that when she worked in Biden’s Senate office in 1993, Biden pushed her against a wall in a Senate office building, put his hand up her skirt and sexually assaulted her with his fingers. She says she told family and complained to Biden’s then-executive assistant as well as two top aides, Dennis Toner and Ted Kaufman. Biden and those same staff members -- Kaufman still advises his presidential effort -- say it never happened.