Judge Brett Kavanaugh categorically denied two sexual assault allegations haunting his Supreme Court confirmation hearing in the anticipated Kavanaugh interview Fox News last night. And in an ironic twist, he’s now facing intense scrutiny for talking over his wife about whether there should be an investigation into the sexual abuse claims.
During the interview, anchor Martha MacCallum asked Kavanaugh and his wife, Ashley Kavanaugh, about the assault allegations and the confirmation process’ impact on the couple. Ashley Kavanaugh repeatedly defended her husband. Judge Kavanaugh went so far as to claim that he did not have sexual intercourse in high school “or for many years thereafter.”
Yet when MacCallum fielded a question to his wife about whether there should be an FBI investigation into the sexual abuse allegations, her husband immediately interrupted her.
“Do you believe there should be an FBI investigation into these allegations and that a pause should happen and, you know, sort it all out?” MacCallum asked, the New York Times reports. “If there’s nothing to worry about and nothing to hide, why not have that process, Ashley? And then I’ll ask you that, Brett.”
“I mean, I’ve said all along and Ashley, too, I want to be heard,” Kavanaugh replied, cutting off his wife as she was about to speak. “I was first interviewed last Monday, the day after the allegation appeared by the committee staff under penalty of felony, and I denied this categorically and unequivocally and I said twice during that, I said, ‘I want a hearing tomorrow,’ last Tuesday, a week ago.”
Kavanaugh interrupts his wife, denies assault allegations in interview
The moment quickly went viral after University of Alabama Law Professor Joyce Alene tweeted about the segment early Tuesday morning, pointing out that Kavanaugh’s reluctance to let his wife speak suggests a much deeper problem he has with respecting women’s right to their own opinions.
“Brett Kavanaugh cutting off his wife Ashley so she couldn’t answer a question put to her about whether there should be an FBI investigation was everything I needed to know about his attitude towards women,” Alene wrote on Twitter. Her tweet has since earned over 5,000 retweets and over 18,000 likes.
Brett Kavanaugh cutting off his wife Ashley so she couldn’t answer a question put to her about whether there should be an FBI investigation was everything I needed to know about his attitude towards women.
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) September 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/Rm5017/status/1044461915777335297
Mrs K opened her mouth to answer but to no avail…the tape is much better and I know Lawrence ODonnell aired it on his show tonight..but I can’t find it just yet..a picture truly is worth a 1000 words lol
— Rm50 (@Rm5017) September 25, 2018
MSNBC pundit Lawrence O’Donnell echoed Alene’s tweet, calling it “the most important moment” in the interview.
“Brett Kavanaugh would not allow Ashley Kavanaugh to answer that question,” O’Donnell explained. “I really wanted to hear Ashley Kavanaugh’s answer to that question. I’m sure I’m not the only one. But Brett Kavanaugh wasn’t gonna let that happen.”
Here you go: Please see 17:54-27:00 for full segment. See 25:47-26:45 for the FBI question moment Ms. Kavanaugh was not allowed to answer. https://t.co/3M9inB9KEP
— asdfghjkl (@drjanemia) September 25, 2018
Others pointed out that the New York Times’ interview transcript doesn’t do justice to the Kavanaughs’ behavior during the interview. Some pointed out that Ashley Kavanaugh’s body language looked uncomfortable. Others noted that Judge Kavanaugh’s tone seemed snobbishly dismissive to incredibly serious allegations.
Kavanaugh cuts off his wife after she’s asked if she thinks the FBI should investigate the assault allegations since her husband doesn’t have anything to hide. Ultimately neither of them answer the question. pic.twitter.com/BvYNSK7rdb
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 24, 2018
Nothing about this Martha MacCallum interview with Brett Kavanaugh and his wife Ashley looks authentic. Nothing. pic.twitter.com/qhiDAJngg4
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) September 24, 2018
And, her body language and eye movements screamed volumes. She knows he did it. Same looks Melania gives Trump!
— Joy Dargent Zucker (@joyzucker) September 25, 2018
.@JoyceWhiteVance, It appeared she was loathe to answer, bt evn as she started to answer, he jumped right in. I felt uncomfortable for her. #BrettKavanaugh seemed more like a politician than a judge. All those days of coaching at the WH worked well. #KavenaughIsATrumpRinger https://t.co/wtCTjSuWwo
— Michele Citizen (@MicheleCitizen) September 25, 2018
Yes, he stuttered and paused a LOT, even though he just kept repeating his talking points. @Lawrence & team did an excellent job tonight at reviewing that really bad “performance”.
— carte-blanche (@carte_blanchee) September 25, 2018
I don’t like the guy. I don’t like his smarmy “I can’t be caught” attitude.
The fact that he didn’t immediately demand an investigation to clear his good name, was my red flag. Nothing says guilty like not wanting to be proven innocent
— Wear a Mask!! (@Lostinram) September 25, 2018
Accusations first appeared against Judge Kavanaugh after Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) revealed a sexual assault accusation penned by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford against the Supreme Court nominee. Kavanaugh has repeatedly claimed that he possesses a calendar that he kept in high school that would delegitimize any allegations against him from that time.
A second woman, Deborah Ramirez, alleges that Kavanaugh exposed his penis while the two were classmates at Yale. Performer Stormy Daniels‘ lawyer Michael Avenatti claims that he represents a third woman with “credible information regarding Judge Kavanaugh and Mark Judge.”
Ford is set to testify this Thursday in an open hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee.
