US at intersection of gender and politics

WASHINGTON: The Twittersphere has spoken out in reaction to Brett Kavanaugh’s US Supreme Court confirmation on Saturday and that includes celebrities who couldn’t hold back from expressing their feelings about the decision. The final Senate vote held just before 4pm and the judge passed 50-48, with a slim margin of just two votes, leading to a whole host of stars and popular accounts revealing their thoughts.

Outspoken comedienne and TV host Chelsea Handler led the way with a tweet where she described the outcome as ‘gross’. “Another gross day in the history of our country, but the midterms are coming. We are stronger than this bulls**t. We can fight and fight and we may not see the results right away, but we will see them. Our daughters will see them. Don’t give up. Fight harder,” she tweeted.

Fellow funny woman Ellen DeGeneres expressed the same sentiments, focusing on Christine Blasey Ford's bravery for coming forward with her story of being sexually assaulted in high school by a man she believed to be Kavanaugh. Her hearing on last Thursday didn’t appear to have much of an affect on all members of the Senate however, as the majority voted to push ahead with his conformation for SC Justice.The daytime talk show host wrote: “This tweet is for Dr Ford. You put yourself through so much and I want you to know it wasn’t in vain. You started a movement and we’ll see it through. If they won’t listen to our voices, then they’ll listen to our vote.”

Trump however appeared to rub salt into the wound of many by tweeting his congratulations. The President of the US emphasised despite criticism for his selection, he though Kavanaugh was a 'great nominee’ and told followers how ‘excited' he was for him to begin the role.

“I applaud and congratulate the U.S. Senate for confirming our GREAT NOMINEE, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, to the United States Supreme Court. Later today, I will sign his Commission of Appointment, and he will be officially sworn in. Very exciting!' he posted on Twitter.

In reference to protesters who came out to show opposition to the decision, Trump poked fun by suggesting the number of people didn't compare to his supporters at rallies. He posted: “The crowd in front of the US Supreme Court is tiny, looks like about 200 people (& most are onlookers) — that wouldn’t even fill the first couple of rows of our Kansas Rally, or any of our Rallies for that matter! The Fake News Media tries to make it look sooo big, & it’s not!”

Another gross day in the history of our country, but the midterms are coming. We are stronger than this bulls**t. We can fight and fight and we may not see the results right away, but we will see them. Our daughters will see them. Don’t give up. Fight harder. —Chelsea Handler