New York Times political reporter Glenn Thrush will remain an MSNBC contributor for now, despite multiple new allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
In a statement to TheWrap, the network said it would withhold judgement on Thrush until the conclusion of a Times investigation and that he isn’t scheduled for any appearances anyway.
“We’re awaiting the outcome of the Times’ investigation,” an MSNBC spokesperson told TheWrap. “He currently has no scheduled appearances.”
While far from a full-throated message of support, the statement suggests the network is sticking by Thrush — for now — despite multiple charges of unwanted kissing and groping, often while drunk, according to accusers.
Thrush has been suspended from The New York Times pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The alleged behavior is very concerning and not in keeping with the standards and values of The New York Times. We intend to fully investigate and while we do, Glenn will be suspended. We support his decision to enter a substance abuse program. In the meantime, we will not be commenting further,” a New York Times spokesperson told TheWrap.
The original reporting by former Politico Editor Laura McGann details multiple charges including one of her own, in which the author said Thrush cornered her in a bar in Washington D.C. and began kissing her without her consent.
“I was wearing a skirt, and he put his hand on my thigh,” she writes, “He started kissing me. I pulled myself together and got out of there, shoving him on my way out.”
In a statement, Thrush apologized for his actions, but disputed McGann’s account.
“I apologize to any woman who felt uncomfortable in my presence, and for any situation where I behaved inappropriately. Any behavior that makes a woman feel disrespected or uncomfortable is unacceptable,” he wrote. “My recollection of my interaction with Laura differs greatly from hers — the encounter was consensual, brief, and ended by me.”
Full statement from Glenn Thrush on the allegations that got him suspended pic.twitter.com/NvduNQP5fa
— Tom Kludt (@TomKludt) November 20, 2017