Actress Rose McGowan issued a blistering — but carefully worded — critique on Thursday for everyone who does business with Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein: “Cleanse yourselves.”
The New York Times rocked Hollywood this week with the release of an exposé accusing Mr. Weinstein, an industry power player and liberal activist, of decades of sexual harassment in the workplace. Ms. McGowan, who reached a settlement with the movie mogul in 1997 after a hotel incident, took to social media as the story broke.
“Anyone who does business with __ is complicit,” the actress said, seemingly being careful not to run afoul of a nondisclosure agreement. “And deep down you know you are even dirtier. Cleanse yourselves.”
Anyone who does business with __ is complicit. And deep down you know you are even dirtier. Cleanse yourselves.
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 5, 2017
The “Scream” actress’ indirect condemnation of Weinstein Company applies to countless Hollywood celebrities and a slew of Democratic Party politicians.
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Mr. Weinstein supported former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s failed presidential bid, donated at least $250,000 to the Clinton Foundation, and gave $66,000 to former President Obama’s victory fund.
The Washington Free Beacon noted on Thursday that Mr. Weinstein also made donations to Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Al Franken of Minnesota, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and many others.
CNN’s Jake Tapper also weighed in by quoting an inside source who said Mr. Weinstein’s behavior was known throughout Hollywood.
“[I’m] shocked it’s taken so long for a Harvey Weinstein behavior exposé. One of the most open secrets in Hollywood,” a producer told Mr. Tapper.
“I came of age in the ’60s and ’70s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different,” Mr. Weinstein said in a statement to the New York Post via attorney Lisa Bloom. “That was the culture then. I have since learned it’s not an excuse, in the office — or out of it. To anyone. I realized some time ago that I needed to be a better person and my interactions with the people I work with have changed. I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it.”
Despite the apology, Mr. Weinstein told the newspaper that he plans to sue The Times for an estimated $50 million.
“The New York Times published today a story that is saturated with false and defamatory statements about Harvey Weinstein,” attorney Charles J. Harder said in a statement. “It relies on mostly hearsay accounts and a faulty report, apparently stolen from an employee personnel file, which has been debunked by 9 different eyewitnesses. We sent the Times the facts and evidence, but they ignored it and rushed to publish. We are preparing the lawsuit now. All proceeds will be donated to women’s organizations.”
Hollywood producer I know: “Shocked it’s taken so long for a Harvey Weinstein behavior expose. One of the most open secrets in Hollywood.”
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) October 5, 2017
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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