Matt Lauer was terminated by NBC on Wednesday for what the network called “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.”
Savannah Guthrie, Lauer’s “Today” show co-host, made the announcement to viewers on the air at the top of Wednesday’s show.
“This is a sad morning here at ‘Today’ and at NBC News,” Guthrie said before reading a memo from NBC chairman Andy Lack to staffers sent moments before.
Matt Lauer has been terminated from NBC News. On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment. pic.twitter.com/1A3UAZpvPb
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 29, 2017
“Dear colleagues, on Monday night we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer,” Lack wrote. “It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company’s standards. As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment.
“While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over twenty years he’s been at NBC News,” Lack continued, “we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident. Our highest priority is to create a workplace environment where everyone feels safe and protected, and to ensure that any actions that run counter to our core values are met with consequences. No matter who the offender, we are deeply saddened by this turn of events but we will face it together as a news organization — and do it in as transparent a manner as we can.”
“We just learned this moments ago, just this morning,” Guthrie said, holding back tears. “As I’m sure you can imagine, we are devastated. We are still processing all of this. And I will tell you, right now we do not know more than what I just shared with you. But we will be covering this story as reporters, as journalists. I’m sure we will be learning more details in the hours and days to come. And we promise we will share that with you.”
Guthrie was seated next to Hoda Kotb, who replaced Lauer on Wednesday’s show.
“We are heartbroken,” Guthrie said. “I am heartbroken for Matt. He is my dear, dear friend. He is my partner. And he is beloved by many, many people here. And I’m heartbroken for the brave colleague who came forward to tell her story and any other women who have their own stories to tell.”
Lauer’s firing comes a little more than a week after CBS fired Charlie Rose after the Washington Post published a report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct by eight women against the veteran news anchor. PBS also canceled Rose’s eponymous show.
President Trump was quick to react to the news of Lauer’s firing.
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
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