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Fact check: What sexual assault incidents involve Joe biden

Checked on August 8, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, the primary sexual assault incident involving Joe Biden centers on Tara Reade's allegations. Reade has accused Biden of sexually assaulting her twenty-seven years ago [1]. The sources provide detailed accounts of her allegations, describing a specific incident and the subsequent responses from Biden and his campaign [2].

Beyond Reade's sexual assault allegation, several women have accused Biden of unwanted touching [1], though these appear to be separate from the more serious assault allegation made by Reade.

An extensive investigation was conducted involving interviews with 74 former Biden staffers, which found that none of them experienced sexual harassment or misconduct by Biden. However, these staffers acknowledged that their experiences do not disprove Tara Reade's specific accusation [3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important contextual elements not captured in the original question:

  • Tara Reade's current status: She has sought Russian citizenship and feels safe in Russia, which adds a geopolitical dimension to the allegations [4] [5]. This development occurred after her initial accusations and may influence how her allegations are perceived.
  • #MeToo movement context: The allegations have been examined within the broader framework of the #MeToo movement, highlighting the complexities and challenges of addressing such allegations in the political arena [1] [3].
  • Political implications: The sources discuss the potential impact of these allegations on Biden's presidential bid [6], indicating that political considerations may influence how these allegations are presented or received by different parties.
  • Evidentiary considerations: The sources mention evidence that has emerged and Biden's responses to the allegations [6], suggesting there are documented responses and materials beyond just the initial accusations.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral in its phrasing, simply asking for factual information about sexual assault incidents involving Joe Biden. However, there are potential areas where bias could emerge:

  • The question focuses specifically on "sexual assault incidents" without acknowledging the distinction between the more serious assault allegation (Reade's claim) and the separate allegations of unwanted touching by other women [1].
  • Political motivations could influence how these allegations are presented or investigated, as they occurred during Biden's presidential campaign and have clear political implications [6].
  • Tara Reade's subsequent move to Russia and application for Russian citizenship [4] [5] introduces questions about potential foreign influence or political motivations that could affect the credibility assessment of the allegations.
  • The extensive investigation involving 74 former staffers [3] provides important counterbalancing evidence that might be overlooked if only focusing on the allegations themselves.
Want to dive deeper?
What are the details of Tara Reade's allegations against Joe Biden?
How has Joe Biden responded to sexual assault allegations?
What is the timeline of Joe Biden's denial of sexual assault claims?
Have there been any investigations into Joe Biden's alleged sexual misconduct?
How do Joe Biden's sexual assault allegations compare to other high-profile cases?