Not everyone is expressing outrage after Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) was revealed to have groped an unsuspecting female journalist, as well as forcibly kissed her against her will.
Many in the media are actually coming to Franken's defense.
MSNBC's Kasie Hunt said that the picture of Franken jokingly fondling a sleeping woman's breasts was "not actually groping." Hunt repeatedly referred to the incident as "mock groping" (even as the victim, Leeann Tweeden, felt very differently):
After the story swept America, Franken issued an apology. However, the statement notably avoid apologizing for forcing himself on Tweeden, and instead casts doubt on her story. "I don't remember the rehearsal for the skit as Leeann does," Franken wrote.
Nevertheless, ABC's Matthew Dowd praised the statement as an example of what a real "man" does in such situations:
MSNBC's Joy Ann Reid likewise heaped praise upon Franken after he released his statement:
On ABC's "The View," co-host Joy Behar took the opportunity to praise Franken for being "a great advocate for women."
“It’s disappointing to hear this about Al Franken," Behar said. "You know, he’s a very funny comedian, he was during this time. He’s a senator from Minnesota. He’s a great advocate for women."
Sunny Hostin agreed, calling Franken "a lion of the Senate."
CNN's Gloria Borger appeared to empathize with Franken, suggesting he didn't deserve to lose his job as he is "remorseful" and is already "suffering tremendously." In another segment, Borger said emphasized that the incident occurred before he was a senator: "He was not a member of the Congress at the time this occurred. He was just a comedian.”
Another CNN host, Paul Begala, also suggested Franken is already on the road to redemption.
"I think he’s really trying to apologize and show contrition, remorse, and be accountable," Begala said during a panel on The Lead. "What a contrast for Roy Moore who was attacking the Washington Post for telling the truth, attacking these women for telling the truth and somehow now it’s a conspiracy."
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This post will be updated as the coverage continues.