Alabama Senator Denies Misrepresentation of Sex Trafficking Survivor's Story in GOP Rebuttal

Alabama Senator Katie Britt has denied allegations of misrepresenting the experience of a sex-trafficking survivor to criticize President Joe Biden's border policy. Following her delivery of the GOP rebuttal to Biden's State of the Union address, Britt has faced significant backlash, particularly after independent journalist Jonathan Katz called her out for recycling a 20-year-old anecdote about a victim of sex trafficking and presenting it as a result of the current administration's border policy.

Clarification of Events

During an appearance on "Fox News Sunday," Britt clarified that the woman she referenced in her rebuttal had experienced sex trafficking during her childhood, not under the Biden administration. Emphasizing her words during the speech, Britt stated, "I very clearly said I spoke to a woman who told me about when she was trafficked when she was 12. So I didn't say a teenager. I didn't say a young woman — a grown woman, a woman who was trafficked when she was 12."

Unveiling of Facts

It was later disclosed that the victim, Karla Jacinto Romero, experienced sex trafficking from 2004 to 2008 in Mexico, leading to criticism of Britt for presenting Jacinto Romero's story as if it had occurred in the U.S. under Biden's watch.

Britt's Explanation

Defending her actions, Britt explained that she used the story to contrast Biden's first 100 days with her own first 100 days in office, highlighting her visits to the border to meet drug cartel victims.

Media Satire

Furthermore, NBC's Saturday Night Live spoofed Britt's speech, humorously highlighting the misplaced usage of Jacinto Romero's story. In the parody, actress Scarlett Johansson, portraying Britt, quipped, “Rest assured every detail about it is real except the year, where it took place and who was president when it happened.”