George Takei — Mr. Sulu of “Star Trek” — is going where no celebrity has gone before in the post-Weinstein world.
He’s getting sympathy and support from fans amid the claims by former actor and model Scott Brunton that Takei sexually assaulted him in 1981.
“Brunton, 23 at the time, believes that Takei slipped something into his drink that caused him to pass out. When he woke up, Takei was trying to reach into his pants,” said the story recounted by the San Jose Mercury News.
“Judging by reactions on Twitter and other social media over the weekend, the Takei sexual misconduct allegations appeared to hit fans and others pretty hard,” the paper said. “The allegations appeared to be more difficult to accept than allegations against other favorite entertainment icons, notably Louis C.K.
“That could be in part because Takei doesn’t seem to have a reputation for being aggressive or sexually inappropriate, as was the case of some other high-profile men accused of sexual harassment and assault.”
Takei posted a tweet (later deleted) saying Russian bots had been spreading the assault allegations, said the New York Daily News.
A wrench thrown into the Takei defense came from LGBTQ Nation, which found Takei telling the Howard Stern show that he has groped men to “persuade” them to have sex.
Here’s how Takei tackled the original accusations:
Friends,
I’m writing to respond to the accusations made by Scott R. Bruton. I want to assure you all that I am as shocked and bewildered at these claims as you must feel reading them. /1
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 11, 2017
The events he describes back in the 1980s simply did not occur, and I do not know why he has claimed them now. I have wracked my brain to ask if I remember Mr. Brunton, and I cannot say I do. /2
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 11, 2017
But I do take these claims very seriously, and I wanted to provide my response thoughtfully and not out of the moment. /3
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 11, 2017
But I do take these claims very seriously, and I wanted to provide my response thoughtfully and not out of the moment. /3
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 11, 2017
Brad, who is 100 percent beside me on this, as my life partner of more than 30 years and now my husband, stands fully by my side. I cannot tell you how vital it has been to have his unwavering support and love in these difficult times. /5
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 11, 2017