A statement from Matt Lauer: “There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions…” pic.twitter.com/f93rHXqKQD
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 30, 2017
Matt Lauer’s (former) TODAY show co-hosts read out his first statement and apology in response to bombshell allegations of the extensive sexual harassment that led to the disgraced newsman’s ousting from the network he worked at for decades.
Hoda Kotb, who is filling in for Lauer, opened a segment of Thursday morning’s TODAY by declaring “it is a difficult morning here again.”
“Because our top story is once again about our former colleague Matt Lauer.”
NBC’s Savannah Guthrie said that they had moments ago received a statement from Lauer, before reading it on air.
“There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions,” Lauer wrote in his statement. “To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.”
“Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly,” Lauer said.
News broke early Wednesday morning that Lauer had been fired by NBC News over allegations of inappropriate behavior brought to the attention of network higher-ups by a female employee. Later in the morning, Page Six reported that Lauer had sexually harassed a colleague at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. And by the afternoon, Variety had dropped a bombshell report detailing the extend of Lauer’s years-long misconduct at the network.
“Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching and I’m committed to beginning that effort,” Lauer concluded his statement. “It is now my full time job. The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws. It’s been humbling. I am blessed to be surrounded by the people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace.”
Watch above, via NBC News.
[image via screengrab]
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