A writer for Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” has been heavily criticized after a tweet claiming Democrats achieved the desired effect of a crusade against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was confirmed on Oct. 6 after a bitter battle.
Ariel Dumas, the writer, wrote on Twitter that she was glad despite Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
“Whatever happens, I’m just glad we ruined Brett Kavanaugh’s life,” Dumas said.
She later made her account private for a while, which means only her followers could see her tweets. The tweet was later deleted, and her account is currently public again.
Colbert’s “Late Show” is known for a mocking attitude toward politics, and often skews to the left, as did his predecessor in the genre, John Stewart.
Senate confirms Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court on 50-48 vote, ending bitter, weeks-long confirmation process. https://t.co/tOTJsfxer8
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) October 6, 2018
No Evidence Supported Claims
Dumas’ tweet referred to sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh, none of which had any supporting evidence of witnesses. None of the four witnesses named by Christine Ford, the woman who testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, corroborated her claim, including a longtime friend. A veteran prosecutor said Ford’s shifting story was full of inconsistencies and Ford’s legal team refused to turn over therapy records and other alleged evidence.
Kavanaugh was confirmed by the Senate on Oct. 6 with a 50-48 vote and sworn in later on Saturday; he’s expected to be welcomed by President Donald Trump to the Supreme Court on Monday, and start hearing cases as a justice on Tuesday.
Some people responding to the tweet criticized it.
The last couple of weeks have been hard for the country and for me personally. The complexity of frustration, anger and sadness can’t be accurately conveyed on twitter, and I regret my tone-deaf attempt at sarcasm in the wake of it.
— Ariel Dumas (@ArielDumas) October 7, 2018
Criticism
“It wasn’t sarcasm. It came naturally and sincerely from the darkest regions of your soul. This is exactly how the left feels. No need for evidence just as long as you destroy a man’s life at any cost. I’d have more respect if you kept the tweet up and owned it,” one Twitter user wrote.
“Well you’ve also destroyed the lives of women who have really been assaulted. Now women who make allegations of assault without evidence or corroborating witnesses will be seen as conniving or hateful, just wanting publicity and wanting to destroy a man’s good name. Good job,” wrote another.
Dumas, whose Twitter timeline is full of tweets and retweets supporting Democrats and lambasting Republicans and President Trump, later apologized for the missive.
“The last couple of weeks have been hard for the country and for me personally,” she wrote. “The complexity of frustration, anger, and sadness can’t be accurately conveyed on Twitter, and I regret my tone-deaf attempt at sarcasm in the wake of it.”