White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders waded into the growing scandal surrounding embattled Hollywood mogul and major Democratic donor, Harvey Weinstein, during Friday’s press briefing.
Sanders was asked whether President Donald Trump supported a move by some Democratic politicians to voluntary redirect Weinstein’s campaign donations to charity.
“I think that’s a decision for those individuals to make,” Sanders said. “Whether or not that’s money they want to take, that’s up to them. That’s certainly not a decision for us to make.”
Weinstein is a major Democratic campaign donor. The Hollywood titan has faced a growing storm of criticism since The New York Times reported on Thursday that he settled at least eight cases of sexual misconduct over the last several decades.
Since the news broke, Weinstein has announced a leave of absence, while his longterm future at the Weinstein Company remains uncertain.
“I came of age in the ’60s and ’70s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different. That was the culture then. I have since learned it’s not an excuse, in the office — or out of it. To anyone.,” he said in a statement. “I realized some time ago that 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. Though I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go. That is my commitment.”