HBO has dropped its planned miniseries about Trump’s 2016 presidential win in light of sexual harassment claims against “Game Change” author Mark Halperin.
The project had been announced in March and was to be based on the not-yet-published third book in the nonfiction series co-authored by Halperin and John Heilemann.
“HBO is no longer proceeding with the project tied to the untitled book co-authored by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann on the 2016 Presidential election,” the network said. “HBO has no tolerance for sexual harassment within the company or its productions.”
The move comes in the wake of CNN‘s report about five unnamed women accusing Halperin of sexual misconduct during his tenure as political director at ABC News more than a decade prior. Halperin released a statement to apologize for “inappropriate” behavior.
The 2012 HBO film “Game Change” was based on the 2010 book by Halperin and Heilemann that focused on John McCain’s failed 2008 presidential campaign. The Jay Roach-directed film starred Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson and Ed Harris, and earned five Emmys.
Showtime said Thursday that it is “evaluating” the future of its political docuseries “The Circus,” on which Halperin served as co-host and executive producer with Heilemann.
MSNBC, where Halperin had served as a contributor, announced on Wednesday that he had been suspended from the network following the allegations.