Geraldo defends Matt Lauer: ‘News is a flirty business’

Geraldo Rivera came to Matt Lauer’s defense Wednesday after the longtime “Today” host was fired from the network over sexual harassment complaints.

Rivera, a Fox News contributor and former talk show host, wrote that “news is a flirty business,” and the current wave of sexual harassment allegations risk “criminalizing courtship.”

Rivera’s tweet also references Garrison Keillor, who was fired from Minnesota Public Radio Wednesday over reports of inappropriate behavior.

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Rivera’s comments came just moments after Variety published an explosive report detailing multiple accusations against Lauer, including that he gave a colleague a sex toy as a gift and exposed himself without consent to a female employee.

Lauer also reportedly had a button under his desk that allowed him to lock his door without getting up.

In a second tweet, Rivera implied that women who have accused powerful men of sexual harassment are doing it to “get even” with former bosses or ex-partners.

Rivera has defended men accused of sexual harassment before, including the former CEO and chairman of Fox News, who was forced out amid multiple accusations of misconduct. 

“Don’t believe the crap about Roger Ailes,” Rivera said on Twitter last year.

A Fox News spokeswoman told The Hill, “Geraldo’s tweets do not reflect the views of FOX News or its management. We were troubled by his comments and are addressing them with him.”

-Updated 8:44 p.m.

Tags Geraldo Rivera Matt Lauer Sexual harassment

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