Actor and social activist George Takei responded to accusations from a former model that the Star Trek co-star sexually assaulted him in 1981.
The accusations were made in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter.
Scott Brunton said he had just broken up with his boyfriend when Takei took him out for dinner and a show and ultimately the two ended up at Takei’s condo for drinks.Brunton says he began getting woozy after the second one.
“The next thing I remember I was coming to and he had my pants down around my ankles and he was groping my crotch and trying to get my underwear off and feeling me up at the same time, trying to get his hands down my underwear,” Brunton said to THR. “I came to and said, ‘What are you doing?!’ I said, ‘I don’t want to do this.’ He goes, ‘You need to relax. I am just trying to make you comfortable. Get comfortable.’ And I said, ‘No. I don’t want to do this.’ And I pushed him off and he said, ‘OK, fine.’ And I said I am going to go and he said, ‘If you feel you must. You’re in no condition to drive.’ I said, ‘I don’t care I want to go.’ So I managed to get my pants up and compose myself and I was just shocked. I walked out and went to my car until I felt well enough to drive home, and that was that.”
THR talked to four people who remember Brunton confiding with them about the incident many years ago.
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In a series of tweets this morning, Takei thanked his husband Brad and friends for their support. He also said he had no recollection of Brunton or the incident.
The events he describes back in the 1980s simply did not occur, and I do not know why he has claimed them now. I have wracked my brain to ask if I remember Mr. Brunton, and I cannot say I do. /2
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 11, 2017
Takei said he took the accusations seriously.
Right now it is a he said / he said situation, over alleged events nearly 40 years ago. But those that know me understand that non-consensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices, the very idea that someone would accuse me of this is quite personally painful. /4
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 11, 2017
Brunton said the denials “infuriated” him. “I don’t want anything from him but an apology,” he says. “I am sure he’ll disown all this, I don’t know, maybe not.”
Takei who is well known for his political views and as an outspoken critic of President Trump immediately became the target of conservatives following the THR article.
Oh, how the hypocritical mighty hath fallen…George Takei, who has consistently slammed @POTUS as a despicable human being, now stands accused of sexually assaulting a male model. I can't take it….? Karma, baby…Karma. #LiberalismIsAMentalDisorder. pic.twitter.com/ENOBZqBe2u
— Rebekah Worsham ?? (@RebekahWorsham) November 11, 2017
And these people tell us we are deplorable for voting for Trump
George Takei
— Riya sharma (@riyasharma266) November 11, 2017
Others however came to Takei’s defense including Karen Wehrstein who wrote an opinion piece for the Daily Kos under the headline Why the George Takei Accusation is a Weak Case.
Wehrstein’s best argument is that the accusations lacked independent collaboration, although several of Brunton’s friends said he had told them about the incident years ago.
Others, however, seemed conflicted.
My heart hurts. I love George Takei dearly. He's been my hero since I was a child. But I would be a hypocrite if I refused to believe his accuser or hold Takei to the same level of scrutiny as I do the other men who have recently been accused of sexual harassment and/or assault.
— GLaDOS (@GLaDOS_resists) November 11, 2017
This George Takei thing makes my chest hurt… pic.twitter.com/bDn8ZFAnQi
— Alabama Worley (@Mdrkcmo) November 11, 2017
It’s apparent Takei will have to continue to confront this as the story unfolds. He’s generated tons of goodwill over the years and is commonly referred to as Uncle George. He’s also attracted the wrath of many conservatives for his relentless hammering of President Trump.
Stand by for the next chapter.
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