NBC “Today” anchor Matt Lauer has been fired from the network after alleged inappropriate sexual behavior.
NBC News chief Andrew Lack said in a statement Wednesday that a colleague had come forward reporting behavior in violation of NBC’s standards.
“While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over twenty years he’s been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident,” the statement read.
A reporter for Variety tweeted that he was working on a story about Lauer, and said there were “multiple victims.”
For the last two months, @EWagmeister and I have been reporting on a story about serious sexual harassment allegations against Lauer. There were multiple victims. https://t.co/jW2QEeDOqo
— Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) November 29, 2017
Lack said the company was “deeply saddened by this turn of events,” but vowed to handle it transparently.
An emotional Savannah Guthrie announced the termination on-air Wednesday.
“We are devastated,” Guthrie said. She said Lauer’s former colleagues do not know anything more about the allegations than what she shared on air.
Guthrie said she was “heartbroken” for Lauer and the “brave” colleague who came forward with allegations.
Related: Team Hillary Clinton cheers Matt Lauer’s firing, says he treated her with ‘seething disdain’
President Trump tweeted about the news moments after it broke.
“Wow, Matt Lauer was just fired from NBC for ‘inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.’ But when will the top executives at NBC & Comcast be fired for putting out so much Fake News. Check out Andy Lack’s past!” he wrote.
Wow, Matt Lauer was just fired from NBC for “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.” But when will the top executives at NBC & Comcast be fired for putting out so much Fake News. Check out Andy Lack’s past!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2017
