Biden cracks another joke about inappropriate touching allegations

Former Vice President Joe Biden again made joking reference to the allegations that he has made women uncomfortable with inappropriate touching during a campaign event on Tuesday.

During a New Hampshire town hall, Biden shared an exchange with a woman in the audience who whispered in his ear. Biden joked after speaking with her, "I want the press to know, she pulled me close," Mediaite reports. "And I was delighted. I was delighted." Biden's joke drew laughter and applause from the crowd.

Biden before entering the 2020 race faced complaints from women who said he touched them in a way that made them uncomfortable, with former Nevada assemblywoman Lucy Flores alleging he put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her on the back of the head. Biden has pledged to "adjust" his behavior.

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Since then, Biden has referenced the allegations in a joking way at numerous events, such as when he hugged a union leader before an April speech and quickly said, "I just want you to know, I had permission to hug [him]." Later during the same event, Biden hugged a child and subsequently joked, "By the way, he gave me permission to touch him." Flores criticized Biden for these comments, telling Fox News in April that they were "so incredibly disrespectful." Brendan Morrow

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