During Monday’s debate about Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) tried to gaslight the accuser live on national television.

“Hatch told me Kavanaugh is ‘honest’ and ‘straightforward’ and said after talking to Kavanaugh the woman might be ‘mixed up,'” tweeted NBC Hill reporter Leigh Ann Caldwell.

During a CNN interview, Hatch said “she’s mixed up” and “she’s mistaken.” He didn’t go so far as to use the words “legitimate rape” but he wasn’t far off.

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The internet let him have it. See the best below:

Maybe @senorrinhatch should just start calling it "locker room rape"

— Zoey Bartlet-Young (@Zoey_Bartlet) September 17, 2018

Orrin Hatch suggests that even if Kavanaugh attempted to rape someone, it shouldn't impact his ability to serve on the United States Supreme Court. https://t.co/HdWXfvkk9F

— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) September 17, 2018

Woah. Orrin Hatch just said on CNN that he just spoke to Kavanaugh by phone, and Kavanaugh told him “he wasn’t at the party.“

How does Kavanaugh remember an uneventful party from 36 years ago well enough to know now, nearly 4 decades later, that he wasn’t there?

— John Aravosis 🇺🇸 (@aravosis) September 17, 2018

"There are a lot of things that just don't make sense to me about Anita Hill's testimony. Some of it just doesn't square with what I think is basic reality and common sense" — Orrin Hatch, October 1991

Christine Ford seems "mixed up" — Orrin Hatch, September 2018

— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) September 17, 2018

Fuck hatch……the old man needs to retire and go back to Utah https://t.co/9ubfAxOadj

— B.R.G. (@BrianGilmore12) September 17, 2018

Hatch needs to resign now. Not later; now!

This is a horrendous take on sexual assault. https://t.co/KpL0YTpSbA

— Rough Draft 🌊 I Resist for Future Generations. (@RoughDraft360) September 17, 2018

Hatch is an old effn fart who needs to retire.

— 🌊Teresa🌊 (@TerryBrandt8) September 17, 2018

Hatch's Mormon morality always takes the day off when a Republican's illegal or indecent actions are in question. Convenient but disgusting. https://t.co/MDfrjbOQYx

— Bob Shaw (@shawrls) September 17, 2018

You know, after it’s all said and done, the whole #MeToo movement world should fall right on this asshole’s Head!!! Orin Hatch is the Anti-#MeToo guru, and has to resign! #BrettKavanaugh

— Louie B 🇺🇸 (@Ajblivits) September 17, 2018

Kavanaugh's accuser hasn't put an exact date on the party, yet Kavanaugh tells Sen. Orin Hatch by phone today that he didn't attend the party. I need a drink.

— Eddie_Burkhalter (@BurkhalterEddie) September 17, 2018

Don't EVER forget.

Orrin Hatch SAVAGED Anita Hill.
He despises women.
Let's make them all pay.
https://t.co/isY2pgK8kZ

— Brian Hjelle🇺🇸🇵🇷🇳🇴🇲🇽🇨🇦 (@hjelle_brian) September 17, 2018

To say, "I believe his denials" with no evidence other than the person's denials, honestly you have to be either a delusional liar or a complete fucking idiot. Yes, I'm talking about Senator Hatch and other GOP'ers.

— Mitchel Lichtman (@mitchellichtman) September 17, 2018

Orrin Hatch is a bit “mixed up” when it comes to the century in which the rest of us are living and what is owed to assault survivors who come forward with credible charges. #GOPDinosaurs

— Snow Nguyen (@LensfieldRoad98) September 17, 2018

Senator Franken allegation were ridiculous. Yes, tasteless. But, not worthy of leaving the Senate. This is attempted rape. Kavanaugh was was a fall over drunk at Yale and HS per his good friend.

— Maggie (@flyachihuahua) September 17, 2018

Orrin Hatch does not give even a tiny rat's ass about #MeToo … he wouldn't care if #Kavanaugh raped a dozen women last week … not the person to go to for a comment on this subject.#StopKavanaugh #VoteOutTheGOP

— John Moffitt (@JohnRMoffitt) September 17, 2018

Or consider what you've become.

— John Sipher (@john_sipher) September 17, 2018

Then he would still be a rapist. Once a rapist, always a rapist. Would Hatch have the same opinion if the victim was in his family? No. Hatch is just another immoral shell of a man, who puts party over country. Burn your hat and got outta town. YOURE part of the mess. 👀 pic.twitter.com/HCMWoFQI8f

— Arnie Brown (@arnie_brown5) September 17, 2018

Dear Orrin, you just told me everything I need to know about who you are today.

— Chelsea Anomynush 🌊 (@wander_thewoods) September 17, 2018

There is no bottom with the @GOP. No shame. No humanity. And hopefully, after the midterms, no majority. @OrrinHatch @SenateGOP

— Lisa in CT (@ljt62) September 17, 2018

Translation: I don’t care.

— Aline (@ph0sph0rescent) September 17, 2018

This is a guy who once thought he was wearing his glasses, reached up and took said non-existent glasses off, and laid said non-existent glasses on the table. pic.twitter.com/3EctAnWSRU

— Cadet Duneedon, U.S. Space Force (@MrDonEden) September 17, 2018

What is the matter with you ??????
Time does not remove the CRIME or the pain she suffers
Obviously comming from an old white man who should be home KNITTING
😁😁😁😁😁

— Kathleen Haag (@KathleenHaag6) September 17, 2018

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… then let us make a small request. Like you, we here at Raw Story believe in the power of progressive journalism — and we’re investing in investigative reporting as other publications give it the ax. Raw Story readers power David Cay Johnston’s DCReport, which we've expanded to keep watch in Washington. We’ve exposed billionaire tax evasion and uncovered White House efforts to poison our water. We’ve revealed financial scams that prey on veterans, and efforts to harm workers exploited by abusive bosses. We’ve launched a weekly podcast, “We’ve Got Issues,” focused on issues, not tweets. Unlike other news sites, we’ve decided to make our original content free. But we need your support to do what we do.

Raw Story is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. We’re not part of a conglomerate, or a project of venture capital bros. From unflinching coverage of racism, to revealing efforts to erode our rights, Raw Story will continue to expose hypocrisy and harm. Unhinged from corporate overlords, we fight to ensure no one is forgotten.

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