Trump: ‘I could pick a woman,’ and she could be accused of misconduct

President Trump said Wednesday that his critics would not hesitate to accuse a woman of sexual assault were he to nominate a female replacement for Brett Kavanaugh, his Supreme Court nominee.

During a press conference in New York, the president was questioned by CNN’s Jim Acosta as to why he frequently sides with those accused of sexual misconduct or other abuse after allegations emerge.

“It can happen the other way, allegations can go the other way,” Trump told Acosta, adding: “I could pick, as an example, hopefully I won’t have to…But I could pick a woman, and she could have charges made from many years ago also. And I would look at the character.”

Acosta asks Trump why he always seems to side with men when they’re accused of sexual assault. Trump responds by pointing out that…. [checks notes] ….. women can get hit with misconduct accusations too. pic.twitter.com/Cc5F4ZjfcO

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 26, 2018

{mosads}In his question, Acosta pointed to Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore (R) and White House staff secretary Rob Porter as evidence of Trump backing those accused of sexual misconduct.

“First of all, I wasn’t happy with Roy Moore, let’s get that straight,” Trump said, maintaining that he only supported Moore over now-Sen. Doug Jones (Ala.) because Jones is a Democrat.

“I was very happy with [former Sen.] Luther Strange, a terrific man from Alabama, but Luther Strange had many things going against him,” the president added.

Trump’s comments come amid a firestorm on Capitol Hill surrounding the allegations facing Kavanaugh, who is set for a hearing Thursday before the Senate Judiciary Committee. One of his three accusers, Christine Blasey Ford, is also expected to testify to the committee.

Kavanaugh has fiercely denied the allegations against him, while the White House and Republicans have remained steadfast in their support for the nominee.

Democrats have demanded Kavanaugh’s Friday committee nomination vote be pushed back, as well as an FBI investigation into the claims against him. Some have flat-out called for the judge’s nomination to be rescinded.