In preview videos released ahead of her sit-down interview with Megyn Kelly, Tara Reade said she would “absolutely” defend her allegation of sexual assault against Joe Biden under oath and cross examinations.
When Kelly asked whether she would take a polygraph test, Reade responded, “I’m not a criminal. Joe Biden should take the polygraph.” Arguing the move would set a precedent of presumed guilt for women who make accusations of sexual misconduct, Reade said, “I will take one if Joe Biden takes one.”
Reade alleges that Biden, the presumed Democratic nominee for president, forcibly kissed and penetrated her with his finger in 1993 when she worked as an assistant in his Senate office. A sexual harassment complaint Reade claims she filed at the time has yet to be located, and she accused Biden only of unwanted touching in media interviews last year, but her brother and a friend say she told them about the alleged incident after it happened.
The Media Research Center found video matching Reade’s description of a call her mother made to “Larry King Live” in August of 1993, seeking advice on how her daughter could resolve an issue with a senator without going to the press.
MK EXCLUSIVE: #TaraReade responds to #JoeBiden; calls for him to drop out pic.twitter.com/jxHAUYaWVU
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) May 7, 2020
MK EXCLUSIVE: Will Tara Reade go under oath or take a polygraph? pic.twitter.com/aBXohhg14n
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) May 7, 2020
The corporate media has applied much more skepticism to Reade than Christine Blasey Ford, as have Democratic politicians, fueling charges of hypocrisy. In her interview with Kelly, Reade, a supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), said she believed Blasey Ford’s claim, but a “conversation rather than a hashtag.”
Biden, Kelly noted, has argued “accusers should start off with the presumption that they’re telling the truth.” Asked by the journalist whether Biden had “afforded [her] that presumption,” Reade replied, “No.”
“It’s been stunning, actually, how some of his surrogates with the blue checks, his surrogates have been saying really horrible things about me and to me on social media. He hasn’t himself. But there is a measure of hypocrisy with the campaign saying it’s safe,” Reade continued, noting that “all my social media has been hacked, all my personal information has been dragged through.”
“His campaign is taking this position that they want all women to be able to speak safely. I have not experienced that,” Reade said.
Kelly wondered what Reade wanted say to the former vice president if he’s watches the interview. “I want to say, ‘You and I were there, Joe Biden. Please step forward and be held accountable. You should not be running on character for president of the United States.'”
In responses to questions from Kelly, Reade said she “wish[es]” Biden would drop out of the race but that “it’s a little late” for an apology.
The exclusive sit-down will mark Reade’s first interview since Biden publicly denied her allegation on Friday. As a journalistic free agent, Kelly has been using YouTube and social media networks to release high-profile interviews on her own terms since last fall.
