Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially granted citizenship to Tara Reade, the American former Senate aide who accused ex-President Joe Biden of sexual assault in 1993. The move comes after Reade relocated to Moscow citing threats and harassment in the U.S., and has sparked fresh diplomatic tensions between Washington and Moscow. This article provides a full timeline of events from the original allegations to her Russian asylum, explores Reade’s background and reasons for moving, examines reactions from U.S. politicians, media, and social platforms, and analyzes the broader geopolitical implications of Russia granting citizenship to high-profile U.S. critics.
Tara Reade Granted Russian Citizenship by Putin
MOSCOW, Russia (September 23, 2025) – In a move that has ignited fresh diplomatic tensions between Washington and Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially granted citizenship to Tara Reade, the American former Senate aide who accused ex-U.S. President Joe Biden of sexual assault over three decades ago. The decree, published on Russia’s official legal portal on September 22, 2025, lists Reade under her legal name, McCabe Alexandra Tara, born February 26, 1964, as a new Russian citizen.
This development marks the culmination of a years-long saga that began with Reade’s explosive allegations during the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign and evolved into her relocation to Russia, citing threats and harassment in the United States. While Biden has consistently denied the claims, the story has remained a recurring point of political debate, further amplified by Russian state media.
Who is Tara Reade?
Born in 1964 in the United States, Tara Reade briefly worked as a staffer in then-Senator Joe Biden’s office in Washington, D.C., in 1993. She later pursued careers in acting, modeling, and writing. In 2022, she published a memoir, The Politics of Survival, detailing her alleged assault and subsequent struggles.
Reade legally changed her name to Alexandra McCabe in 1998 to evade an abusive ex-husband, as reflected in U.S. court documents from the time. Now 61, Reade has been living in Moscow since 2023. She works as a contributor for RT, the state-funded English-language broadcaster, describing herself as a “geopolitical analyst.” She has appeared at pro-Russian events, including the International Economic Forum on Russophobia.
The Allegations Against Biden: A Recap
Reade first went public in March 2020, alleging harassment by Biden during his Senate tenure. In May 2020, she escalated her claim to a full assault allegation, stating that in August 1993, Biden pinned her against a wall in a Capitol Hill corridor, digitally penetrated her, and whispered threats. At the time, she was 29 years old.
Supporting evidence includes a 1996 court filing by Reade’s ex-husband, referencing her complaints of harassment in Biden’s office, and statements from her mother and former colleagues that vaguely corroborate an incident. However, no formal complaint records from 1993 exist, and Biden’s former staff described the office as professional. Investigations, including by The New York Times, found gaps in her timeline.
Biden has consistently denied the allegations. In May 2020, he said, “It never, never happened,” highlighting his record on women’s rights, including his role in the Violence Against Women Act. The story resurfaced during the 2024 election but faded after Biden withdrew due to health concerns. Former President Donald Trump occasionally referenced it in rallies.
Timeline: From U.S. Allegation to Russian Citizenship
The key events in Reade’s journey are as follows:
| Date | Key Event |
|---|---|
| August 1993 | Alleged assault in Biden’s Senate office. Reade claims she reported it internally but faced retaliation. |
| 1996 | Ex-husband’s court filing mentions Reade’s harassment complaints in Biden’s office. |
| March 2020 | Reade publicly accuses Biden of harassment during his presidential campaign. |
| May 2020 | Full assault allegation emerges via podcast; Biden denies it. |
| May 2023 | Reade relocates to Moscow, citing threats and harassment. In a Sputnik interview, she applies for Russian asylum and citizenship, stating, “I feel safe here… I promise to be a good citizen.” |
| September 2023 | Russia grants political asylum. Reade begins working with RT and appears with pro-Russian figures like Tucker Carlson and Maria Butina. |
| July 2024 | Reade briefly returns to the U.S. to announce plans to file criminal charges against Biden for “Third Degree Sexual Abuse” in D.C., then retreats to Russia. |
| September 22, 2025 | Putin’s decree grants citizenship, bypassing the usual five-year residency rule. Reade posts on X: “Thank you to President Putin for this amazing honor… keeping me safe.” |
Why Russia? Reade’s Reasons and Context
Reade cites safety fears in the United States, claiming that authorities ignored her pleas for protection while labeling her a “Russian agent” to discredit her. “My life was threatened… prison loomed,” she told Sputnik in 2023.
Analysts suggest that Russia’s granting of citizenship fits a broader Kremlin strategy of offering sanctuary to U.S. critics, following examples like Edward Snowden and John Healey. It is seen as a soft power move to amplify anti-Biden narratives through RT, influencing U.S. domestic discourse. Reade has expressed a desire to retain her U.S. citizenship, but experts note that Russia’s grant does not automatically revoke it, though U.S. authorities could challenge her status if ties to foreign influence are confirmed.
Reactions and Public Discourse
In the U.S., responses are mixed. White House spokesperson John Kirby previously described Reade as a “potential Russian citizen” and avoided deeper commentary. Democrats have largely remained silent, with Biden allies calling the news a revived “non-story.” Some Republicans and Trump allies reacted with enthusiasm, while social media buzz on X ranges from mockery to conspiracy-laden commentary.
Russian state media framed the development as “sanctuary for a truth-teller,” highlighting Reade’s interviews and appearances with pro-Putin figures. Viral images circulating online include screenshots of the citizenship decree and Reade’s X post thanking Putin.
Conclusion
The granting of Russian citizenship to Tara Reade underscores the complex intersection of U.S. domestic politics and international geopolitics. While it is framed by Moscow as an act of protection, it has reignited debates about Reade’s allegations, U.S.-Russia relations, and the strategic use of high-profile figures in global soft power campaigns. As tensions between Washington and Moscow continue to simmer, this story adds another layer of intrigue to the evolving narrative of political and personal controversies crossing international boundaries.