George H.W. Bush's office releases statement saying he 'patted women's rears' with good intentions
- Actress Heather Lind accused former President George H.W. Bush yesterday of inappropriately touching her four years ago.
- Bush's office released a statement saying he had, on occasion, "patted women's rears in what he intended to be a good-natured manner."
The office of former President George H.W. Bush released a statement Wednesday saying he had, on occasion, "patted women's rears in what he intended to be a good-natured manner," following public backlash after actress Heather Lind accused him yesterday of inappropriately touching her during a promotional event in 2014.
"At age 93, President Bush has been confined to a wheelchair for roughly five years, so his arm falls on the lower waist of people with whom he takes pictures," the statement read. "To try to put people at ease, the president routinely tells the same joke - and on occasion, he has patted women's rears in what he intended to be a good-natured manner."
"Some have seen it as innocent; others clearly view it as inappropriate," the statement continued. "To anyone he has offended, President Bush apologizes most sincerely."
Lind's now-deleted Instagram post alleged Bush repeatedly touched her from behind at a promotional event for the AMC series "Turn: Washington's Spies."
"He didn't shake my hand," Lind recounted in her post. "He touched me from behind from his wheelchair with his wife Barbara Bush by his side. He told me a dirty joke. And then, all the while being photographed, touched me again."
A spokesman for Bush apologized earlier today, saying that it was an "attempt at humor."