Liberals are disappointed in Democratic Sen. Al Franken (Minn.) and called for his resignation on Thursday after he was accused of sexual assault.
Radio broadcaster Leeann Tweeden posted her story on the KABC radio station's website on Thursday, alleging Franken kissed and groped her without consent. The allegations occurred in 2006 when Tweeden and Franken were performing on an USO tour for the troops in the Middle East.
Tweeden alleges Franken insisted they practice a kiss when rehearsing for a skit. Tweeden tried to say practicing the kiss wasn't necessary, but nevertheless, he persisted.
"He repeated that actors really need to rehearse everything and that we must practice the kiss," Tweeden said. "I said ‘OK’ so he would stop badgering me. We did the line leading up to the kiss and then he came at me, put his hand on the back of my head, mashed his lips against mine and aggressively stuck his tongue in my mouth."
There was another incident where Franken groped Tweeden when she was asleep during their trip back to the United States. A photographer took a picture of the incident.
Al Franken apologizes after groping allegation: ‘I shouldn’t have done it’ https://t.co/JGg7L1MtWc by @lizcgoodwin pic.twitter.com/sFxyTNP51Y
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) November 16, 2017
Franken released a statement saying he remembers the skit rehearsal differently and the picture was meant to be a joke.
"I certainly don't remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leann," Franken said in a statement. "As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn't. I shouldn't have done it."
Liberals and supporters of the senator shared their disappointment at the news of him allegedly committing sexual assault.
Goddamnit, Al.
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) November 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/cmclymer/status/931186217353441280
i hadn't felt any of that "waahhh, someone I look up to is a sexual predator boo-hoo my hero" until i read the al franken story. god fucking dammit.
— Ariel Dumas (@ArielDumas) November 16, 2017
Al Franken story is not ok.
re tribalism, no.— Greg Dworkin (@DemFromCT) November 16, 2017
Damnit, Al Franken.
— Jay Zawaski (@JayZawaski670) November 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/BillCorbett/status/931187015760068609
https://twitter.com/eugenegu/status/931184840732495872
https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/931182027264716803
The progressive public policy advocacy group MoveOn.org said the senator "should be held to the same standard as anyone in public or private life."
https://twitter.com/MoveOn/status/931200445955100673
Others believed the allegations against Franken were reason for him to resign.
Al Franken should resign immediately. https://t.co/gXRuHerGDa
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) November 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/chrissahardy/status/931184807803064322
Get Al Franken the fuck outta here.
— Tom Breihan (@tombreihan) November 16, 2017
Dear @alfranken,
You are not good enough, you are not smart enough, and doggone it, people do not like people who treat women like this. Resign. https://t.co/MIOFe4mP9g— Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) November 16, 2017