'I know all about false accusations': Trump says Biden should 'respond' to sexual assault allegation

President suggests Democratic rival could have been 'falsely accused' as he mounts defence of Kavanaugh

Donald Trump says Joe Biden should "respond" and "answer" to allegations that he sexually assaulted a staffer when the Democratic presidential candidate was a senator.

The president, who has denied accusations of sexual assault and harassment by more than 20 women over the last several decades, said he knows "all about false accusations" and defended conservative Supreme Court Justice Bret Kavanaugh, who has also denied allegations of sexual assault.

When asked about the allegations facing his Democratic opponent, the president said: "I don't know anything about it. I don't know exactly. I think he should respond. It could be false accusations. I know all about false accusations. I've been falsely charged numerous times."

The former vice president is expected to break his silence over the accusation on 1 May.

Mr Trump also called the Supreme Court Justice "an outstanding man" and said that "what happened with him" — likely referring to confirmation hearings that detailed the accusations against him — was "an absolute disgrace to our country" in 2018.

The president also falsely claimed that three of the four women who have accused the Supreme Court Justice of assault have "admitted that".

He said: "I guess three of the four woman have now admitted that. And the fourth, give me a break. I mean, take a look. ... I've saw a man suffering so unfairly."

Several prominent Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have defended the former vice president, who has denied assaulting Tara Reade in 1993, and his campaign has said her claims are "untrue" and "did not happen".

The candidate's campaign has also said that "he firmly believes that women have a right to be heard — and heard respectfully" and that those claims should be "diligently reviewed by an independent press".

Throughout April, which is also Sexual Assault Survivors' Month, progressive groups and many Democrats have urged the candidate to address the allegations, as more women emerge to corroborate the claims against him.

He is expected to discuss the accusation during a Friday appearance on MSNBC's Morning Joe, as networks are faced with criticism and claims that they have diminished the accusation.

Asked by reporters on Thursday to address her support for the candidate while joining calls from Democrats to investigate Justice Kavanaugh, Speaker Pelosi said: "I respect your question, and I don't need a lecture or speech. ... There is a lot of excitement around the idea that women will be heard and will be listened to. There is also due process, and the fact that Joe Biden is Joe Biden ... There have been statements from his former [Senate] office that there was never any record of this. Nobody ever came forward about it other than the principal involved."