Pete Buttigieg’s been enjoying a relatively smooth ride on quest to win the Democratic presidential nomination, but it might be about to get pretty bumpy.
In a Medium post, someone claiming to be a 21-year-old gay man named Hunter Kelly alleges that he was sexually assaulted by Buttigieg:
I was sexually assaulted by Mayor Pete Buttigieg. I didn’t know who he was back in February, only that he told me he was an important politician. When I started seeing him on television three weeks ago as a Presidential candidate, I thought about coming forward.
I am a gay man. I have been grappling with my identity for a number of years. I live, work, and attend college in rural Michigan. I know that by coming forward, I will make a hard life even harder. But I must do so — I must do so — for my country, for other gay men like me, and most importantly to stop a very bad man from becoming President of the United States.
…
In the days and weeks ahead, I will share my full story with the nation.
So far, it seems that only highly suspect and disreputable outlets are running with this. David Wohl, aka Jacob Wohl’s dad, was among those spreading Big League Politics’ story, and Gateway Pundit is pushing it as well:
Uh oh: BREAKING: Media Darling Buttigieg Accused of Sexual Assault https://t.co/iOGx7yo8Qu via @BigLeaguePol
— David Wohl (@DavidWohl) April 29, 2019
Democrat Darling Pete Buttigieg Accused of Sexual Assault by 21-Year-Old from Michigan https://t.co/gpvN3vxw36 via @gatewaypundit
— Jim Hoft (@gatewaypundit) April 29, 2019
But without any corroborating evidence, it seems not only premature, but also dangerous, to run with a story like this. Sexual assault allegations are extremely serious.
This is a very serious accusation @GrandRapidsPD, made against presidential candidate @PeteButtigieg. This should have been reported to you if truthful.@fbi This might need your attention. This puts Mayor Pete in danger.
Please look into this.https://t.co/91SLFsHpQ7
— Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) April 29, 2019
This is not something to mess around with. Buttigieg may not be our cup of tea, but that doesn’t mean he’s not entitled to due process just like everyone else.
due process
always
due process
principles above personality— HeisenbergHattie (@HBergHattie) April 29, 2019
Agreed 100%. Don't glory in accusations just because it's making someone you don't like/don't agree with squirm.
— Harm to ongoing matter (@CutItOutPutin) April 29, 2019
Yes, because there are definite motives for someone to make something like this up. He is a presidential candidate, and this could all be a hoax to try and destroy him. If so, it needs to be exposed immediately. If not, then the proper actions must be taken. This is not a joke.
— Nicole Parsons (@MAGA_Princess_9) April 29, 2019
Herein lies the issue with auto-believing accusers. Dude posts accusation on a website, devoid of details, tells us he will tell his story "in the weeks ahead (how long is this story?). What recourse does the person charged have? Skepticism is due here.
— Harm to ongoing matter (@CutItOutPutin) April 29, 2019
