Biden, 76, now faces multiple accusations of ‘creepily’ invading women's personal space ahead of his anticipated 2020 presidential run
EX-VICE President Joe Biden who has been engulfed by “touching” complaints made a strange gag about having "permission" to hug a boy on stage.
The Democrat, who is expected to run against Donald Trump in 2020, appeared to try to deflect the fallout from his touchy-feely ways with few jokes.
Biden, who was Barack Obama's deputy from 2009 to 2017, faces multiple accusations of “creepily” invading personal space.
This includes head kisses, shoulder rubs and forehead touching.
But addressing electrical workers union members in Washington, the politician appeared to make light of the allegations.
Bizarrely Biden invited a group of kids on stage, because they had been seated on the floor during his speech, and then shook each child's hand.
Placing his arm around the shoulder of one lad, he then quipped: “By the way, he gave me permission to touch him.”
Earlier he back-patted union president Lonnie Stephenson on stage and told the audience: “I just want you to know I had permission to hug Lonny.”
By the way, he gave me permission to touch him
2020 Presidential hopeful Joe Biden
Trump taunted Biden yesterday over the claims of “inappropriate touching” by sharing an edited video which shows the ex-vice president fondling himself.
The US President tweeted out the meme which photoshopped a picture of Biden onto the Democrat’s own video — creating the illusion of Biden sniffing his own hair.
Trump captioned the doctored video: “WELCOME BACK JOE!”
Speaking to reporters today, Trump defended his tweet: “He is going through a situation — let’s see what happens, but people got a kick out of it.
"We have to sort of smile a little bit, right?”
He added: “I don’t see him as a threat. I think he’s only a threat to himself.”
Biden, 76, now faces a total of seven accusations of "creepily" invading women's personal space ahead of his anticipated 2020 presidential run.
The presidential hopeful was forced to address the allegations that he ignored the “personal space” of some ladies “and some men” in a two-minute video.
He said that "social norms" about interpersonal behaviour have changed and vowed to be "mindful" of the new standards.
But he didn't apologise for his past behaviour, arguing that he doesn't believe politics should be "antiseptic" and has always tried to connect with people through physical touch.
He said "I've always tried to make a human connection.
"That's my responsibility, I think. I shake hands.
"I hug people. I grab men and women by the shoulders and say 'you can do this.
"Whether they're women, men, young, old, it's the way I've always been. The way I've tried to show I care about them and I'm listening."
But just hours after posting the video, three more women spoke out accusing him of "unwelcome" physical contact.
Biden says he's sorry he "didn't understand more" but is "not sorry" for his intentions and has "never been disrespectful intentionally to a man or a woman.
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