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Trump mocks Joe Biden’s promise for personal space in edited Twitter video

In a two-minute video posted to Twitter Wednesday, Biden said that he’s “always tried to make a human connection,” but that “social norms have begun to change.”

Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the Biden Courage Awards on March 26 in New York.
Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the Biden Courage Awards on March 26 in New York.Read moreFrank Franklin II / AP

After several women have come forward saying Joe Biden touched them in ways that made them feel uncomfortable, the former vice president has promised to do better, vowing to “be more mindful, respectful of people’s personal space."

In a two-minute video posted to Twitter Wednesday, Biden said that he’s “always tried to make a human connection,” but that “social norms have begun to change.”

“I’ll always believe governing, and quite frankly, life, for that matter, is about connecting, is about connecting with people," Biden said. “That won’t change, but I will be more mindful, respectful of people’s personal space. And that’s a good thing. I worked my whole life to empower women. I worked my whole life to prevent abuse.”

Biden, a Delaware Democrat who is considering a 2020 presidential run, continued: “So the idea that I can’t adjust to the fact that personal space is more important, more important than it’s ever been, is just unthinkable. I will, I will.”

The video comes after at least four women said the former vice president touched or kissed them inappropriately.

In an essay for New York Magazine, former Nevada Assemblywoman Lucy Flores accused Biden of “demeaning and disrespectful” backstage behavior when he allegedly kissed Flores on the back of her head during a 2014 Nevada voter-turnout event.

“I felt him get closer to me from behind. He leaned further in and inhaled my hair. I was mortified,” Flores wrote. “He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head. My brain couldn’t process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused.”

Flores pointed to the power imbalance between young women and “America’s Favorite Uncle,” saying Biden’s purported acts "shows a lack of empathy for the women and young girls whose space he is invading, and ignores the power imbalance that exists between Biden and the women he chooses to get cozy with.”

Since Flores’ essay was published Friday, three more women — including former congressional aide Amy Lappos — have come forward with similar accounts, saying Biden also touched them in ways that made them feel uncomfortable.

In the wake of the essay, Biden and his spokespeople previously issued statements acknowledging the former vice president’s “expressions of affection,” adding that Biden didn’t believe he had acted inappropriately.

Some women, including former Biden staffers, have also publicly defended him amid the essay’s aftermath, calling the former vice president “supportive” and saying his touches were welcome.

Although he has hinted toward candidacy, the Scranton-born Biden has not yet announced his plans regarding the 2020 race. But in an era of heightened scrutiny surrounding the treatment of women, Biden’s past — particularly, his role as Senate Judiciary chair during the aggressive questioning of Anita Hill in 1991, and now, his sometimes-unwanted displays of affection — has drawn criticism.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump posted an edited clip of Biden’s video to Twitter, captioned “WELCOME BACK JOE!”

The 15-second video — which appears to have originated from a different Twitter account — depicts Biden describing how he grabs “men, women by the shoulders” while a second, animated photo of Biden appears, placing his hands on the former vice president’s shoulders.

During a speech at a National Republican Congressional Committee fund-raiser Tuesday night, Trump also mocked Biden over the accusations of unwanted contact.

“I said, ‘General, give me a kiss.’ I felt like Joe Biden. But I meant it,” Trump told the crowd during a story about a conversation with a general.

Later, while hinting that the statements against Biden were politically motivated, Trump added: “I was going to say, ‘Welcome to the world, Joe. You having a good time, Joe?’”

Trump has faced his own allegations of mistreating women; more than a dozen women have accused him of sexual misconduct. The majority of accusations came to light after an Access Hollywood tape surfaced during the 2016 campaign, catching Trump speaking about forcibly groping and kissing women.

In February, former Trump campaign staffer Alva Johnson sued the president and his campaign, claiming Trump kissed her against her will during a rally in 2016.

Trump has denied the accusations.

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