Senator Orrin Hatch just called Dr. Christine Blasey Ford an ‘attractive witness’

Ugggggghhhhhhh.

Senator Orrin Hatch, the 84-year-old Republican from Utah, told a group of reporters that Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is an “attractive witness” during a break in her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday. 

SEE ALSO: Christine Blasey Ford details the harassment she received after Kavanaugh allegations

In a recording published by McClatchy DC, a reporter in the gaggle asks Hatch, “Have you found Dr. Ford credible?” 

“It’s too early to say,” Hatch replies. “I don’t think she’s uncredible. I think she’s an attractive, good witness.” 

When asked what he meant by attractive, Hatch clarified with: “In other words, she’s pleasing.” 

According to McClatchy reporter Kate Irby, fellow female reporters were taken aback by his statement. 

Hatch’s communications director, Matt Whitlock, has been trying to do some damage control by responding to tweets about the incident with the same statement:

“Hatch uses “attractive” to describe personalities, not appearances. If you search his past quotes you’ll see he’s used it consistently for years for men and women he believed has compelling personalities.”

And by responding to tweets, we mean responding to nearly every tweet. 

Regardless of Whitlock’s clarification, Twitter users were horrified that a senator would use “attractive” to refer to a witness.

Watch the testimony live on C-SPAN.