Tailgate assembly with a step assist handle

A vehicle comprising:

• a body;
• a tailgate assembly having a structure moveably attached to the body, and defining an interior space;
• wherein the tailgate assembly includes a handle assembly attached to the structure and moveable between a stowed position, an intermediate position, and a deployed position, and wherein the tailgate assembly further includes a deployable step attached to the structure and moveable between a raised position concealing the handle assembly in the stowed position within the interior space of the structure, and a lowered position presenting a step and exposing the handle assembly;
• wherein the handle assembly includes:
• a connecting member attached to the structure and rotatable about a first axis relative to the structure;
• a handle portion attached to the connecting member and rotatable about a second axis relative to the connecting member;
• wherein the handle portion and the connecting member rotate in unison relative to the structure about the first axis between the stowed position and the intermediate position;
• and
• wherein the handle portion rotates relative to the connecting member about the second axis between the intermediate position and the deployed position.