Several left-leaning celebrities are speaking out against Democratic Sen. Al Franken
Alan (Al) Stuart FrankenFormer GOP Rep. Jason Lewis says he'll challenge Tina Smith in Minnesota Native American advocates question 2020 Democrats' commitment Reid says he wishes Franken would run for Senate again MORE (Minn.), with some calling on him to step down, after a reporter on Thursday accused him of groping and kissing her without consent in 2006.
Leeann Tweeden, a Los Angeles radio host, says that Franken “aggressively” kissed her during rehearsal for a skit during a USO tour and later groped her while she was sleeping on a plane. The former model shared a photo of the groping incident, saying she felt “embarrassed,” “belittled” and “humiliated.”
I’ve decided it’s time to tell my story. #MeToohttps://t.co/TqTgfvzkZg
— Leeann Tweeden (@LeeannTweeden) November 16, 2017
Franken apologized in a statement, saying he didn’t remember the rehearsal the same way but acknowledging the photo “wasn’t” funny.
Kathy Griffin — a vocal critic of President Trump who triggered a Secret Service interview after posting a photo of herself holding a prop made to look like the commander in chief’s severed head — weighed in on the controversy on Thursday. The comedian, who’s performed her standup act during a pair of USO tours, wrote to her more than 2 million Twitter followers:
I’ve done this exact tour. Not w Al, but same singer, same aircraft etc. Yes, it’s a war zone & heightened atmosphere. Verrrry boys club, but this is WAY wrong. Not a dem/rep issue. Minn should get a kick ass dem to replace him. No slut shaming here, Leeann. https://t.co/UXkuLsIOkr
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) November 16, 2017
“Charmed” and “Who’s the Boss?” alum Alyssa Milano, another one of Hollywood’s most outspoken Trump critics, said there should be “zero tolerance” for sexual harassment.
Zero tolerance. If we don’t hold all accountable for horrible behavior — nothing changes. Sorry, @SenAlFranken you should not be in a position to represent the female constituents in your state. https://t.co/MrJi7QKCu1
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 16, 2017
“Spotlight” star Mark Ruffalo retweeted a message calling on Franken to resign.
This is not acceptable. Not from anybody. Dem or Republican. https://t.co/aipZzFFMsn
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) November 16, 2017
Comedian Tom Arnold said Thursday that he knows both Tweeden and Franken, warning the two-term senator to “own this right now or get out.”
Stop it! I’m a liberal & know both of them & i believe @LeeannTweeden 100%. She’s a great mom & woman. @alfranken needs to own this right now or get out. https://t.co/xnZpPxCS5A
— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) November 16, 2017
“Bring it On” actress Gabrielle Union, a rape survivor who served on the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women under then-President Obama, tweeted to her more than 3.5 million Twitter followers:
And sexually assaulting a sleeping woman is funny how? Who thinks that shit is funny? https://t.co/roGN1ZB4Db
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) November 16, 2017
And Antonio Sabato Jr. — the former model who spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention and is running for a House seat in California — suggested Franken should face jail time:
It’s Time for @alfranken to step down and go away or behind bars ! https://t.co/w3qSqD7oLl
— Antonio Sabáto Jr (@AntonioSabatoJr) November 16, 2017
