Kellyanne Conway says people shouldn't 'conflate the #MeToo movement' with the sexual assault allegation against Brett Kavanaugh
- White House adviser Kellyanne Conway appeared on CNN Friday to discuss the sexual assault allegation against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
- Psychology professor Christine Blasey Ford has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of attempting to rape her at a Maryland house party when she was 15 years old in 1982.
- "Let's not conflate the greater #MeToo movement with whatever did or did not happen in the summer of 1982 ... that Judge Kavanaugh has completely denied," Conway said.
White House adviser Kellyanne Conway appeared on CNN's "New Day" Friday to discuss psychology professor Christine Blasey Ford's sexual assault allegation against Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
"Let's not conflate the greater #MeToo movement with whatever did or did not happen in the summer of 1982, 36 years ago that was not spoken about for the first time ever until 30 years later, that Judge Kavanaugh has completely denied," she said.
Over the past year, the #MeToo movement, which has sought to raise awareness around sexual misconduct and assault, has toppled some of America's most powerful men in the film industry, the corporate world, and the halls of government.
The most recent man the movement brought down is CBS Chairman Les Moonves, who resigned earlier this month after exhaustive reporting from The New Yorker revealed sexual misconduct allegations against him from multiple women spanning decades.
"Comparing a 17-year old to Les Moonves ... no one is doing that," host Alisyn Camerota responded. "But just having the conversation and understanding why it might take women a long time to come forward with allegations, which you can appreciate I'm sure."
"I can," Conway replied, adding, "If [Ford] wants to tell her story, I think the most pure thing is for both to tell their stories."
Shortly after Conway's appearance, her boss, President Donald Trump, fired off a series of tweets attacking Ford's credibility after staying relatively silent on the issue.
"I have no doubt that, if the attack on Dr. Ford was as bad as she says, charges would have been immediately filed with local Law Enforcement Authorities," Trump tweeted.
Ford, who accuses Kavanaugh of attempting to rape her at a Maryland house party when they were both in high school, is in negotiations with the Senate Judiciary Committee over the conditions of possible sworn testimony on the alleged assault.
Since she made her name public on Sunday, Ford has reportedly received death threats, had to hire security, and has gone into hiding with her family.