In a rare sit-down interview with Good Morning America, actors George Clooney and Matt Damon admit they knew about Harvey Weinstein’s predatory behavior towards women — but claim not to the extent to which it is being reported today.
Damon says pal Ben Affleck told him about Weinstein harassing Gwyneth Paltrow. Clooney reveals Weinstein would boast about his sexual conquests. They both knew enough to speak out, and yet, said nothing.
Daily Mail UK reports:
In an interview that aired on Monday morning, both men said that they knew Weinstein was a ‘bully’ and ‘womanizer’ who bragged of bedding actresses, but had no idea about the level of criminal behavior that was occurring behind closed doors in hotels.
Damon also confessed that he was aware Weinstein had sexually harassed ‘the first lady of Miramax’ Gwyneth Paltrow just before the actress shot the 1996 film adaptation of Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ for the studio.
‘I knew the story about Gwyneth from Ben [Affleck] because he was with her after Brad [Pitt] and so I knew that story,’ said Damon.
‘But I was working with Gwyneth and with Harvey on [the 1999 film “The Talented Mr.] Ripley.”
He then added: ‘ I never talked to Gwyneth about it but Ben told me that whatever or agreement they had come to there was an understanding … and he treated her incredibly respectfully. Always.’
Not only did all of Hollywood know about Weinstein’s ways, but top Democrats were made aware, as well.
Linda Bloodworth Thomason, a confidant of former President Bill Clinton, admits she warned top Democrat operatives about the various sexual harassment and rape allegations made against liberal Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. It was “a warning that evidently (and to the glee of Fox News) fell on deaf ears,” Thomason concedes.
Linda Bloodworth Thomason for The Hollywood Reporter wrote:
One of the best friends I will ever have and a man I love dearly, former President Bill Clinton, has certainly taxed my feminist conscience, but always without diminishing my affection. I even helped write his apology to the nation for his own sexual misconduct, was sitting next to him when he delivered it, and believe to this day it was based on something that was none of our business. And yes, some may call it hypocritical, but I confess to having had no problem warning at least three top-level Democratic operatives against allowing Harvey Weinstein to host political fundraisers. A warning that evidently (and to the glee of Fox News) fell on deaf ears.
