Epilogue

This chapter examines how the Supreme Court confirmation process of Justice Brett Kavanaugh closely followed a white male heterosexual double standard that is often at the center of political sex scandals, one inspired by the evangelical norms that this book has discussed. Kavanaugh was the 2018 Supreme Court nominee (and current Justice) accused by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford of a sexual assault. The chapter analyzes the Ford/Kavanaugh testimonies in relationship to the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas case. This comparison highlights the racial and gendered mechanics by which all four characters were judged. While Ford was regarded by many as a credible witness from the standpoint of her demeanor and testimony, the author argues that Kavanaugh was able to draw on a variety of raced and gendered symbols that solidified the support of his political peers, including Donald Trump. In short, Kavanaugh’s demeanor as a white, angry, sexualized adolescent granted him a considerable advantage.