Damning Al Franken groping photo ignites a social media melee
People on social media slammed U.S. Sen. Al Franken on Thursday after a 2006 photo showing him groping a sleeping woman was published online.
Leeann Tweeden, a radio anchorwoman for KABC in Los Angeles, accused Franken of touching her inappropriately and kissing her against her will while the two were together on a USO Tour in the Middle East.
The trip happened three years before the comedian took office as a senator from Minnesota.
Tweeden made the allegations in an essay on the radio’s website.
I’ve decided it’s time to tell my story. #MeToohttps://t.co/TqTgfvzkZg
— Leeann Tweeden (@LeeannTweeden) November 16, 2017
She included a photo of Franken standing over her as she dozed in a chair, his hands cupped close over her breasts. His head is turned toward the photographer, and he’s grinning.
“It wasn’t until I was back in the U.S. and looking through the CD of photos we were given by the photographer that I saw this one,” Tweeden wrote.
“I felt violated all over again. Embarrassed. Belittled. Humiliated. How dare anyone grab my breasts like this and think it’s funny?”
Franked quickly apologized to Tweeden in a brief statement issued Thursday.
“I certainly don’t remember the rehearsal for the skit in the same way, but I send my sincerest apologies to Leeann. As to the photo, it was clearly intended to be funny but wasn’t. I shouldn’t have done it,” he said.
People on Twitter found nothing funny about it. Nothing.
When I saw Al Franken trending I was like "OH GOD NO IS HE DEAD?" and the answer is yes.
— Bess Kalb (@bessbell) November 16, 2017
Have written and rewritten several tweets about Al Franken but honestly all I have to say is “what the hell is wrong with people?”
— Jamelle Bouie (@jbouie) November 16, 2017
Beyond disappointed & disgusted. Wtf Al Franken?https://t.co/VeEPXobfEY
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) November 16, 2017
There was an immediate call from some corners for Franken to resign.
The photo in this story alleging Al Franken kissed/groped a woman against her will is ... jarring. This is going to be a major problem on Capitol Hill. https://t.co/KjoTmptift pic.twitter.com/EAaQkqFWd4
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) November 16, 2017
This is exhausting and Al Franken should resign.
— Annie Shields (@anastasiakeeley) November 16, 2017
Al Franken is a fantastic senator and advocate for the average American. And he needs to resign.
— Travon Free (@Travon) November 16, 2017
Let's be clear, I'm all for Al Franken resigning, 100%, ALL sexual harassment, sexual assault, is wrong and must not be tolerated, but if you voted/support trump or Roy Moore, don't you dare tell me you have say. Take your opinion and eat it. #HoldThemALLAccountable
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) November 16, 2017
Conservatives called on liberals to denounce Franken as quickly as they have Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama, accused of sexually assaulting and harassing teenage girls years ago.
Liberals chided conservatives who are denouncing Franken but have stayed mum about Moore.
⚡️BREAKING⚡️
— ZOLAIts OK To Be a WHITE CHRISTMAS (@InTheYear1611_) November 16, 2017
OFFICIAL RESPONSE of Democrats to *ACTUAL EVIDENCE*of SEXUAL MISCONDUCT by Al Franken
Meanwhile in Alabama....#ThursdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/5XPxBtM6Ql
Dems trying to figure out whether they must throw Al Franken under the bus to defeat Roy Moore. pic.twitter.com/sCRTu6ZbHr
— The Columbia Bugle (@ColumbiaBugle) November 16, 2017
If you have been defending a pedophile all week and defendeding a sexual predator for the last 2 years, spare me your outrage about Al Franken......
— Mr. Weeks (@MrDane1982) November 16, 2017
You can't have it both ways....
Republicans want Al Franken to resign over inappropriate touching and kissing one time.
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) November 16, 2017
It's fine though that Moore raped multiple teens..
And some people have just had enough of it all.
Al Franken should resign.
— Holly O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) November 16, 2017
Trump should be impeached.
Bill Clinton should play golf for the rest of his life.
Roy Moore should drop out of the race.
And it's time for women to take over.
This is not a D or R issue.
I #believewomen.
Now it's time to #ElectWomen
This story was originally published November 16, 2017 at 11:40 AM with the headline "Damning Al Franken groping photo ignites a social media melee."