President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, under fire over two accusations of sexual misconduct, claimed Monday that he "never" sexually assaulted anyone and was a virgin in high school and for "many years" after.
As part of a concerted pushback by Brett Kavanaugh and the White House against mounting calls to put his nomination on hold, the federal judge appeared alongside his wife in a televised interview where he provided intimate details of his youth.
"I've never sexually assaulted anyone, not in high school, not ever. I've always treated women with dignity and respect," Kavanaugh told Fox News, likely telegraphing the line he will take when he appears before the Senate to testify on the matter on Thursday.
He also presented an image of his character that departed radically from what was portrayed in the allegations, and appeared to claim his virginity at the time of the accusations as a defense.
"I did not have sexual intercourse or anything close to sexual intercourse in high school or for many years thereafter. And the girls from the schools I went to and I were friends."
His Fox interviewer, Martha MacCullum, followed up by asking, "So you're saying through all these years that are in question that you were a virgin?"
Kavanaugh replied, "That's correct."
Kavanaugh's accusers have claimed he sexually assaulted them, but did not make allegations of rape or consensual sexual intercourse.
Material from AFP was used in preparing this report.