President Donald Trump was asked about the sexual harassment allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
“I’ve known Harvey Weinstein for a long time,” Trump told reporters on Saturday, CBS News reported. “I’m not at all surprised to see it.”
At least eight women have settled harassment claims with Weinstein, according to the New York Times, which said actress Ashley Judd accused him of inviting her up to his room and making lewd comments.
Weinstein is now taking an “indefinite” leave of absence from the Weinstein Company, the board said on Friday.
“We strongly endorse Harvey Weinstein’s already-announced decision to take an indefinite leave of absence from the Company, commencing today,” the board said in a statement. “As Harvey has said, it is important for him to get professional help for the problems he has acknowledged. Next steps will depend on Harvey’s therapeutic progress, the outcome of the Board’s independent investigation, and Harvey’s own personal decisions.”
Harvey’s brother and board co-chairman Bob Weinstein and COO David Glasser will now run the firm in his absence.
Over the years, the studio head has nearly exclusively donated to Democrats. The allegations against him prompted Senators Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Chuck Schumer, Martin Heinrich, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Patrick Leahy to vow to donate Weinstein’s previous contributions to charity, CBS reported.
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