A women’s advocacy group is demanding MSNBC fire host Chris Matthews after he repeatedly questioned Sen. Elizabeth Warren about why she believes a woman who accused Michael Bloomberg of sexual harassment.
UltraViolet president Shaunna Thomas called for the network to fire the Hardball host on social media Wednesday over the confrontation, which followed a moment during Tuesday night’s Democratic presidential primary debate in which Warren brought up the former New York City mayor allegedly telling an employee to get an abortion, a claim he has denied.
“@MSNBC needs to fire Chris Matthews. Today,” Thomas tweeted. “Matthews’ refusal to believe women, and history of sexual harassment, make it clear that he is not fit to continue to cover this election. MSNBC can and must do better, and they can start by firing Chris Matthews.”
She went on to explain, “We believe the women Bloomberg sexually harassed” because the woman who made the accusation “has no incentive to lie,” while “Bloomberg, who is running for President, clearly does.”
Matthews’ refusal to believe women, and history of sexual harassment, make it clear that he is not fit to continue to cover this election. MSNBC can and must do better, and they can start by firing Chris Matthews. (2/5)
— Shaunna Thomas (@SLThomas) February 26, 2020
That’s because Bloomberg’s history of sexist comments and racist attitudes have been well documented – he faces 40 cases involving 65 people who endured discrimination and harassment as his employee. (4/5)
— Shaunna Thomas (@SLThomas) February 26, 2020
Thomas concluded by noting that dozens of women have filed sexual harassment claims against Bloomberg or his company and praised Warren for bringing it up.
The moment Thomas referenced as the reason to remove Matthews occurred during his post-debate interview with the senator from Massachusetts.
“Do you believe that the former mayor of New York said that to a pregnant employee?” Matthews asked before later adding, “And why would he lie? Just to protect himself?”
She said, “Yeah, and why would she lie? I mean, that’s the question, Chris. Why do you assume — ” to which the host then responded, “It’s a striking event. I just want to make sure you’re clear about this. You’re confident of your accusation?”
MSNBC did not respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
Matthews has faced accusations of sexual harassment from subordinates. He was accused of making sexual comments directed at an assistant producer on his show in 1999. He received a formal reprimand, and the accuser received a separation-related payment.
