George Takei blamed increased web traffic in the wake of the sexual assault allegations made against him on “Russian bots” trying to smear him.
Takei stands accused of drugging and groping then-model Scott Brunton in his Los Angeles residence in 1981. He claimed to have no recollection of the events Brunton describes, and denies ever meeting the man. Takei then went on a Twitter rant in which he blamed the Russians for the allegations.
Takei deleted the tweets, but Twitter users were quick to take screen shots.
“Russia did this” — George Takei
(he deleted but here are the screens) pic.twitter.com/xh7096Qk2n
— Eoin Thanksgivins 🦃🍁🍂 (@EoinHiggins_) November 12, 2017
In the first tweet, Takei reveals that there was a sudden uptick in his popularity on Twitter. He then blames this on Russian bots. While it may seem more likely that Takei, who has been in the public eye since the 1960s, might become very popular after being accused of attempting to date rape a model in the 1980s, Takei is certain that “Russian bots” are spreading the claims to “amplify stories containing the allegations” against him.
Takei then sent a followup tweet in which he claimed to face similar “Russian bot” attacks after he criticized the anti-LGBT policies in Russia.
While Takei’s most devoted fans reportedly seemed to believe the tweets in the original post, the remarks were viewed as tone deaf, inappropriate, and absurd by his critics.
Man this guy tweeted out pro HRC anti Bernie anti Trump for 2 years and for SURE gets paid per tweet for heaven knows what in addition to that. He grabs guys’ penises on tape on Howard Stern and expects everyone to think he’s Mr Perfect Putin Victim.
— Amy Sterling Casil (@ASterling) November 12, 2017
Look, he basically admitted to all this stuff on Stern, “jokingly”. Too late for any of this bullshit.
— Nick Meenachan 🌹 (@BoardGameBrawl) November 12, 2017
That’s just what the Russians want you to think.
— Alexanderplatz (@WillMcJ) November 12, 2017
He’s not “showing” anything. A graph his ‘friend’ made is about as dispositive as your tweet.
— William Owen (@Bill_Owen) November 13, 2017
It is entirely possible that Takei will eventually be absolved of the sexual assault allegations against him, but blaming “Russian bots” for the story quickly backfired for the octogenarian.
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