• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
brett kavanaugh

NYT Published 1983 Kavanaugh Letter to Embarrass Him, White House Says

By
Renae Reints
Renae Reints
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Renae Reints
Renae Reints
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 3, 2018, 2:05 PM ET

The White House said the New York Times is “committed to embarrassing” Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh after the newspaper published a 1983 letter in which Kavanaugh appears to refer to himself and his friends as “loud, obnoxious drunks.”

The Times piece, published Tuesday, reveals a letter Kavanaugh has confirmed he wrote to his friends ahead of a beach getaway, outlining how to handle the rental property. The letter—signed “Bart,” Kavanaugh’s nickname, according to the Times—includes a post script suggesting someone “warn the neighbors that we’re loud, obnoxious drunks with prolific pukers among us. Advise them to go about 30 miles.”

Kavanaugh said during his testimony last week that he did drink beer as a teen, but not to the point of blacking out.

“It seems the New York Times is committed to embarrassing Judge Kavanaugh with three-decade-old stories of adolescent drinking,” White House spokesperson Kerri Kupec in response to the publication, according to NBC News.

“He has already acknowledged under oath that he drank underage, frequently attended high school parties, sometimes drank too much, that he ‘likes beer,’ that he wasn’t perfect, and that he, as many people do, ‘cringes’ at some of his youthful behavior,” Kupec continued.

President Donald Trump has stood behind his nominee throughout the confirmation hearings, even after Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and two other woman came forward with sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh, who has denied the claims.

About the Author
By Renae Reints
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Fed Governor Stephen Miran to resign after Kevin Warsh is sworn in
BankingKevin Warsh
Fed Governor Stephen Miran to resign after Kevin Warsh is sworn in
By Bloomberg and Enda CurranMay 14, 2026
22 minutes ago
Peter Thiel, wearing a white shirt and in front of a red background, holds up a dollar bill.
EnergyData centers
Peter Thiel is leading investment in an ocean data center powered by waves—and the startup is reportedly worth $1 billion
By Sasha RogelbergMay 14, 2026
47 minutes ago
PayPal reaches $30 million DOJ settlement over 2020 program for Black-owned businesses
LawDEI
PayPal reaches $30 million DOJ settlement over 2020 program for Black-owned businesses
By Kristen Parisi and HR BrewMay 14, 2026
49 minutes ago
Bat deaths over the last two decades have cost American taxpayers in lost crops, higher taxes, and pricier bonds
Environmentfarming
Bat deaths over the last two decades have cost American taxpayers in lost crops, higher taxes, and pricier bonds
By The ConversationMay 14, 2026
1 hour ago
data center
EconomyData centers
Meta’s $10 billion Louisiana data center is getting $3.3 billion in tax breaks—more than seven years of the state’s entire police budget
By Jake AngeloMay 14, 2026
3 hours ago
The ‘Knight Rider’ replica car got a $50 speeding ticket in New York despite never leaving Chicago museum
Lawcar
The ‘Knight Rider’ replica car got a $50 speeding ticket in New York despite never leaving Chicago museum
By The Associated Press and Dave CollinsMay 14, 2026
3 hours ago

Most Popular

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
Success
Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
By Preston ForeMay 13, 2026
1 day ago
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Politics
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
2 days ago
Nearly 50,000 Lake Tahoe residents have to find a new power source after their energy source looks to redirect lines to data centers
Travel & Leisure
Nearly 50,000 Lake Tahoe residents have to find a new power source after their energy source looks to redirect lines to data centers
By Catherina GioinoMay 12, 2026
2 days ago
It’s not just Canadian tourists snubbing U.S. cities. Business leaders are cancelling more trips to America as geopolitical tensions continue
North America
It’s not just Canadian tourists snubbing U.S. cities. Business leaders are cancelling more trips to America as geopolitical tensions continue
By Sasha RogelbergMay 12, 2026
2 days ago
The airplane fuel shortage is a myth propagated by airlines who want to cancel unprofitable flights, says private jet CEO
Energy
The airplane fuel shortage is a myth propagated by airlines who want to cancel unprofitable flights, says private jet CEO
By Jim EdwardsMay 14, 2026
13 hours ago
Steve Jobs had a 'beer test' he used for interviews at Apple—if he didn’t want to drink with you, you didn’t get the job
Success
Steve Jobs had a 'beer test' he used for interviews at Apple—if he didn’t want to drink with you, you didn’t get the job
By Orianna Rosa RoyleMay 14, 2026
13 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.