MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) - After Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen was caught tweeting during the State of the Union address, he is speaking candidly about questions some of you are asking about his secret daughter.
Now that the dust has settled, he is revealing much more about the fallout from this very unusual circumstance.
"My parents are deceased. I have no other children and being single, I've had my constituents who have been real important to me, but it's important to have people you care about and who care about you and that you can help," said Cohen.
Memphis saw a softer side of Congressman Steve Cohen after a tweet seen around the world forced him to reveal what he learned three years ago, that he had a daughter, 24-year-old Victoria Brink.
Cohen refuses to answer how he and Brink's mother met, claiming "we're old friends and I'm not going into that."
Cohen is not sharing all the details, but he did give a deeper explanation on why he hesitated to share the news. His daughter's paternity didn't just affect the man who thought he was her father, it affected everyone in the family she's loved her whole life.
"It caused her to have to meet with her step-father and that had to be very difficult for her. I haven't talked with her since last night. I know she's been through the grist and I hate that. She was very brave to do it and I'm proud of her," explained Cohen.
He said it is painful that people online questioned if he got a paternity test.
"They ask and I don't need to respond," said Cohen
Instead, he's focusing on the silver lining.
"It's a blessing to have somebody that carries on your life on earth, which is very important, and she's very precious to me," said Cohen.
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