In a scene reminiscent of the O.J. Simpson murder trial verdict 22 years ago, during which viewers were glued to their televisions in a pre-social media era, Thursday’s bitterly contentious Senate hearing over the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court brought the nation to a virtual standstill.
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From coast to coast, on phones, tablets, computers and airport monitors, Americans watched as Dr. Christine Blasey Ford emotionally recounted her claim of being sexually assaulted by a then-17-year-old Kavanaugh, followed by the judge vehemently, sometimes angrily, defending his reputation and denying the accusations.
Both faced intense questioning from the senators on the Judiciary Committee, and Twitter and Facebook instantly flooded with dozens of memes, screeds and impassioned essays from both Kavanaugh and Ford supporters. Meanwhile, the Republican majority on the committee made it clear that they intended to vote to approve the nominee during a 1:30 p.m. ET vote on Friday (Sept. 28), after which the nomination will be sent to the Senate for a full confirmation vote.
Hours before the Committee balloting, however, the American Bar Association and the dean of Kavanaugh’s alma mater, Yale Law School joined the request to delay the nomination process to allow for a proper FBI investigation of the allegations by Ford, as well as a several other similar allegations from other women. And Republicans and the president followed suit, calling for an FBI investigation and in turn delaying the vote by up to a week.
Check out some of the Kavanaugh hearing reactions from Lady Gaga, Lauren Jauregui, Cyndi Lauper, Bette Midler, Ben Stiller and many others below.
#ImWithDrFord pic.twitter.com/yyEOOttCli
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) September 28, 2018
Senate Republicans Delay Kavanaugh Vote by Up to a Week for F.B.I. Investigation via @NYTimes https://t.co/V7BI5dirFu
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) September 28, 2018
Respect to Doctor Ford for standing up and telling her story. For my family, my daughter and people who value the truth, you are a hero and on the right side of history.
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) September 28, 2018
You can say that again https://t.co/pXLHb9di9r
— Cyndi Lauper (@cyndilauper) September 28, 2018
Watch and get ready to vote #GOP out come November. With their refusal to have an FBI investigation or even to call the most important witness, Mark Judge, they have tainted this candidate forever. He’ll wind up just like #ClarenceThomas who NEVER spoke in public for 30 yrs.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) September 28, 2018
#NoOnKavanaugh – not today – not ever – https://t.co/Bltq76dl9D
— ROSIE (@Rosie) September 28, 2018
?????????????? https://t.co/Y6gDctwOfn
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) September 28, 2018
I don’t know what to say. Grassley moved to have the Committee vote on Kavanaugh at 1:30PM. The vote was 11-8 along party lines. Booker and Harris did not vote as a protest.
— Chloë Grace Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz) September 28, 2018
With this #KavanaughConfirmation the Supreme Court is no longer the highest court in the land but lowest court! Tarnished for good!
— John Leguizamo (@JohnLeguizamo) September 28, 2018
We #BelieveSurvivors and refuse to accept Brett Kavanaugh as our next Supreme Court Justice. Join us in making our voices heard Friday at noon local time. Find or host an event near you: https://t.co/Lwsor1X4yW
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) September 28, 2018
I’M SO FUCKING OUTRAGED AND HEARTBROKEN. SO TIRED OF THE SAME PEOPLE HAVING THE POWER TO MAKE THE DECISIONS. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WHERE ARE THE WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR?!?? THIS IS NOT… https://t.co/1ocQN7YSsO
— Sara Bareilles (@SaraBareilles) September 28, 2018
I don’t hate rich white men, I hate the system that allows rich white men privilege and supremacy.
Fuck the system.
— |L I Z Z O| (@lizzo) September 28, 2018
— Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) September 28, 2018
Shame on you @JeffFlake
— Rachel Antonoff (@rachelantonoff) September 28, 2018
“Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking the whole truth and acting accordingly.” Friday at noon local time. Wherever you are. Women are organizing to show up at Senate offices around the country. Find an event near you: https://t.co/FcKzIJUljY #BelieveSurvivors pic.twitter.com/nArzatsh4A
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) September 28, 2018
Marching with @HouseDemWomen to the Senate. #BelieveWomen #KavanaughConfirmation pic.twitter.com/o79wBWEkTL
— Suzanne Bonamici (@RepBonamici) September 28, 2018