Bill Cosby breaks silence on sexual assault claims, blames ordeal on racism

Legendary comedian Bill Cosby believes racism played a part in the series of sexual assault allegations made against him.

About 50 women have come out since 2015 to accuse the comic-actor of sexual assault.

Speaking for the first time in over two years, Cosby agreed with his daughter Ensa Cosby’s assertion that “racism has played a big role in all aspects of this scandal”.

During an interview with SiriusXM host Michael Smerconish, he was asked if he concurred with Ensa and he said: “Could be, could be.”

“I can’t say anything, but there are certain things that I look at, and I apply to the situation, and there are so many tentacles. So many different — nefarious is a great word. And I just truly believe that some of it may very well be that,” said Cosby.

The host subsequently noted that his accusers are both black and white, and Cosby responded by saying: “Let me put it to you this way: When you look at the power structure, and when you look at individuals, there are some people who can very well be motivated by whether or not they’re going to work.”

“Or whether or not they might be able to get back at someone. So if it’s in terms of whatever the choice is, I think that you can also examine individuals and situations and they will come out differently. So it’s not all, not every, but I do think that there’s some.”

Cosby further noted that the sheer number of his accusers was an “impressive” way to court public opinion.

“I think that the numbers came because the numbers prior to the numbers didn’t work. So the piling on, so to speak, is a way — and certainly an impressive, impressive way — to get public opinion to come to the other side,” he said.

Cosby is facing three charges of felony indecent assault on Andrea Constand, who claims that he drugged and violated her in 2004.