Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh delivered a forceful statement to refute allegations of sexual assault, calling the Senate hearing a "circus" propagated by Democrats who wanted "revenge on behalf of the Clintons."
His fiery opening statement stood in stark contrast to Christine Blasey Ford, who testified earlier that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were in high school in the 1980s. Ford gave an emotional testimony and told senators that she was "terrified" to be there. The Daily Beast's Sam Stein pointed out the vast difference between the two dispositions, describing Ford as "almost apologetic in her testimony," while "Kavanaugh, the alleged perpetrator, is yelling and angry." An "amazing contrast in gender norms and expectations," said Stein.
Ford asked if it would be "okay" with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) if she took a scheduled break, and she repeatedly apologized for not being able to be more "helpful." Kavanaugh denied her allegations "categorically and unequivocally," expressing frustration that he had not been able to deny them publicly immediately after she came forward. Critics like Susie Banikarim of Gizmodo theorized that Ford would have seen the "end of her career" if she had been equally angry in her testimony. "If a woman screamed and cried this much she'd be discounted as an unhinged, angry, fragile mess unfit to do any job of value," said Banikarim.
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