Trump mocks Biden over sexual misconduct claims: 'Are you having a good time, Joe?'

Donald Trump, the subject of allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct by around two-dozen women, has mocked former vice president Joe Biden over claims of inappropriate physical conduct.

In a speech at a fundraising event organised by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), the president poked fun at the 76-year-old Democrat, who has been accused of misconduct by a series of women.

Mr Trump told the crowd in Washington DC about a conversation he claimed to have once had with a general.

“I said, ‘General, give me a kiss.’ I felt like Joe Biden. But I meant it,” said the president.

Later, he said he believed Mr Biden, who would likely be among the Democratic frontrunners if he decides to run in 2020, “was being taken care of pretty well by the socialists” – an apparent reference to suggestions that recent allegations against Barack Obama’s vice president for two terms, were being pushed by rivals in his own party.

“I was going to call him and say, ‘Welcome to the world, Joe. You having a good time, Joe’,” he said.

During the 2016 presidential election campaign, Mr Trump was accused by at least 23 women women of sexual harassment or worse. He denied all the allegations. Video also emerged of him boasting about “grabbing” women’s genitals.

Mr Biden, who in political circles in Washington DC is known by some as “Creepy Joe”, has long been accused of inappropriate or awkward physical interactions with women.

Last week, a Democratic activist and elected politician from Nevada, Lucy Flores, said Mr Biden had put his his hands on her shoulders, smelled her hair and kissed the back of her head during a campaign event five years ago. Earlier this week, Amy Lappos, a former aide to congressman Jim Himes, said Mr Biden had ten years ago touched her face and rubbed noses with her.

Two other women who have accused the man who served in the Senate for almost four decades, of inappropriate behaviour in The New York Times.

Caitlyn Caruso, 22, told the newspaper Mr Biden put his hand on her thigh and hugged her “just a little bit too long” at an event about sexual harassment at the University of Nevada Las Vegas three years ago.

“It doesn’t even really cross your mind that such a person would dare perpetuate harm like that,” she said. “These are supposed to be people you can trust.”

DJ Hill, a 59-year-old writer, claimed Mr Biden put his hands on her shoulders and began dropping them down her back at even in Minneapolis.

“Only he knows his intent,” she said.

Mr Biden has said he has “95 per cent” decided he is going to enter the 2020 race. He currently tops polls of potential Democratic candidates.

Yet, as the accusations from the four women underscore, Mr Biden would face fresh, intense scrutiny if he enters the race and launches what would be his third bid for the White House.

Commentators say he will already face questions over his record on race relations because of his support of the 1994 Crime Bill that discriminated against minority communities, and his questioning of witness Anita Hill during the 1991 confirmation hearings for Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas. So far, senior Democrats such as speaker Nancy Pelosi, have said the allegations as they stand are not “disqualifying”. That could change if more women come forward or Mr Biden fails to end the controversy.

After Ms Flores came forward last week, Mr Biden said he had never once “acted inappropriately”, but also admitted his memory may be different to that of others.

In a statement, he added: “We have arrived at an important time when women feel they can and should relate their experiences, and men should pay attention. And I will.”