Fact check: Did any of the women who accused Al Franken change their minds?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, none of the sources indicate that any of the women who accused Al Franken changed their minds about their allegations ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]}. The question appears to have a straightforward answer: there is no documented evidence of accusers retracting their statements.

However, the analyses reveal significant investigative findings that challenge the credibility of the original accusations. Jane Mayer's investigation found that Leeann Tweeden's story was "full of holes" and contained inconsistencies ^{[2] [6]}. The infamous photograph that sparked the controversy was likely a reference to a joke from a sketch they performed together rather than actual misconduct ^[2]. Additionally, the seven other women's accusations were largely based on "fleeting touches that lasted only a few seconds" ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about the substantive challenges to the accusations themselves. While the women may not have changed their minds, investigative journalism revealed that "none of Leeann Tweeden's accusations against Al Franken hold up" ^[4]. This represents a significant distinction between accusers maintaining their positions and the actual validity of those accusations.

The analyses also highlight the broader context of the #MeToo movement and questions about due process and proportionality in addressing sexual misconduct allegations ^[6]. This suggests that the focus should perhaps be on the quality and credibility of the accusations rather than whether accusers changed their minds.

Political actors and media organizations would benefit from different narratives around this case. Those who supported Franken's resignation would benefit from maintaining that the accusations were credible, while Franken himself and his political allies would benefit from the investigative findings that cast doubt on the allegations ^{[4] [2]}.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question, while technically neutral, may contain an implicit assumption that the accusations were valid and that women changing their minds would be the primary indicator of the case's legitimacy. This framing potentially diverts attention from the substantive investigative findings that questioned the credibility of the accusations themselves ^{[4] [2] [6]}.

The question also fails to acknowledge that investigative journalism has already provided significant context about the reliability of the original allegations, making the question of whether accusers changed their minds somewhat secondary to whether the accusations held up under scrutiny in the first place.