Republicans turn on Trump for mocking Kavanaugh accuser
Three key GOP lawmakers speak out following president's performance in Mississippi

Donald Trump has been taken to task by three key Republicans after openly mocking Dr Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, in which she claimed she had been sexually assaulted by Brett Kavanaugh.
Republican senators Jeff Flake of Arizona, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska each condemned the remarks Trump made at a rally in Mississippi on Tuesday night, when he cast doubt on Ford’s account.
During the rally, Trump echoed a number of questions put to Ford by members of the judiciary committee, making light of her apparent inability to remember specific details of the alleged attack, which she says took place in 1982.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“How did you get home? ‘I don’t remember’,” Trump said, bringing cheers from his supporters. “How did you get there? ‘I don’t remember.’ Where is the place? ‘I don’t remember.’ How many years ago was it? ‘I don’t know.’ What neighbourhood was it? ‘I don’t know.’ Where’s the house? ‘I don’t know.’”
Speaking to NBC’s Today programme, senator Flake called the comments “appalling”, adding: “There’s no time and no place for remarks like that. To discuss something this sensitive at a political rally is just not right. It’s just not right. I wish he hadn’t had done it.”
Senator Murkowski said it was “wholly inappropriate” and “unacceptable”, while senator Collins, a key moderate swing vote in the senate, said: “The president’s comments were just plain wrong.”
Kavanaugh has denied allegations that he sexually assaulted Ford when they were both high school students and has vowed to continue his effort to join the Supreme Court, to which Trump nominated him in July.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Trump’s mockery of Ford’s testimony came a week after he referred to her as a “very credible witness”, and risks losing the votes of Flake, Collins and Murkowski when the Senate votes on Kavanaugh’s appointment.
Republicans hold a slim 51-49 majority in the Senate, and the loss of those three votes – provided every Democrat votes against Kavanaugh’s appointment, as is expected – could scuttle Trump’s pick and delay the appointment of a new Supreme Court Justice until after the November midterm elections.
-
In the Spotlight Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been at odds with US forces
-
Music reviews: Ethel Cain, Amaarae, and The Black Keys
Feature "Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You," "Black Star," and "No Rain, No Flowers"
-
Film reviews: Highest 2 Lowest and Weapons
Feature A kidnapping threatens a mogul's legacy and a town spins into madness after 17 children disappear
-
Will Ukraine trade territory for peace?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Kyiv’s defences are wearing thin but a land swap is constitutionally impossible and crosses Zelenskyy's red lines
-
Russia tries Ukraine land grab before Trump summit
Speed Read The incursion may be part of Putin's efforts to boost his bargaining position
-
Europe counters Putin ahead of Trump summit
Speed Read President Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week for Ukraine peace talks
-
Is Trump's new peacemaking model working in DR Congo?
Talking Point Truce brokered by the US president in June is holding, but foundations of a long-term peace have let to be laid
-
Who wins from a Trump-Putin meeting?
Today's Big Question Trump might get the leaders together for a photo op but brokering a peace deal won’t be easy
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
US and EU reach trade deal
Speed Read Trump's meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen resulted in a tariff agreement that will avert a transatlantic trade war
-
Trump threatens Russia with 'severe tariffs'
speed read The president also agreed to sell NATO advanced arms for Ukraine