NBC host Willie Geist said that former “Today” host Matt Lauer is “reconnecting with his family” after he was fired from his job in November amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
“I’ve texted with him just on a personal level,” Geist said, according to Entertainment Tonight. “It was his birthday the other day, his 60th birthday.”
Lauer was officially replaced by anchor Hoda Kotb last week.
Geist, the host of “Sunday Today,” added that Lauer is “as good as he can be.”
EXCLUSIVE: Willie Geist says he's 'so happy' for Hoda Kotb on #Today and reveals he's been in touch with Matt Lauer. https://t.co/HN1ZQA3H4B pic.twitter.com/e6NOYM6vd7
— EntertainmentTonight (@etnow) January 10, 2018
“He’s sort of reconnecting with his family and figuring everything out,” he said.
Lauer has remained out of the public eye since news of the scandal broke. Some NBC News personalities have spoken on his behalf.
Kotb made comments last week about Lauer that some found infuriating. “He was sweet this morning. Certain texts popped up, and there was one from Matt: ‘Congratulations!'” Kotb told E! News after she was named co-anchor. “And he said some nice words.”
Kotb added that “it was really nice” to hear from her ex-colleague. Kotb told E! News, “It meant the world to me to hear from him.”
On Twitter, users pilloried Kotb for the comments, pointing out that Lauer was fired for allegations of sexual assault.
Savannah Guthrie also recently spoke about him.
“Matt is really focused on his family, and I think that’s where his heart is and that’s where it should be,” Guthrie said. “We’ve kept in touch and we’ve all been reaching out, and, you know… I don’t think there’s anyone who would be more thrilled than Matt to see Hoda in this role. He adores Hoda and he knows how good she is and so I know that to be true.”
Lauer issued one statement the day after he was fired in November. “There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt I am truly sorry,” he said in the statement, which was read aloud by the “Today” show hosts.
“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,” he added.
NBC’s Stephanie Gosk revealed to Megyn Kelly on Thursday that there might be as many as eight female accusers.
“We have reached out to New York City Police; we have reached out to police departments in Long Island. We know of no open criminal investigation against Matt Lauer,” Gosk said. “Because they are anonymous, we don’t know if any of the people who spoke to Variety also spoke to The New York Times. … We don’t know if any of them are the same women,” she added.
Recommended Video:
