Celebrities react to Matt Lauer's firing amid sexual misconduct allegations

Taryn Ryder
·Writer, Yahoo Entertainment

Sexual harassment scandals have been taking down industry tycoons for weeks in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and Matt Lauer is the latest big name to come up around the topic. NBC has fired the longtime Today show host following allegations of workplace misconduct.

Lauer’s co-host, Savannah Guthrie, announced the news on air and was visibly emotional.

Hollywood reacts to Matt Lauer’s firing. (Photo: Getty Images)
Hollywood reacts to Matt Lauer’s firing. (Photo: Getty Images)

“We just learned this moments ago, just this morning,” Guthrie said, her voice shaking. “As I’m sure you can imagine, we are devastated and we are still processing all of this… We are heartbroken. I’m heartbroken for Matt – he is my dear, dear friend and my partner, and he has been loved by many, many people here. And I’m heartbroken for the brave colleague who came forward to tell her story, and any other women who have their own stories to tell.”

CBS This Morning host Gayle King also commented on on-air. “I look at that picture and I have a sickening feeling of déjà vu,” she somberly said, referencing the Charlie Rose scandal. “Certainly because we’re dealing with our own situation here. It does send a message that you’re not too big to fall.”

Guthrie and King are hardly the only person reacting to Lauer’s firing. Celebrities, including alleged Weinstein victim Rose McGowan, Kathy Griffin, Chrissy Teigen and more have taken to social media to react to the news.

This morning I woke up expecting to do a cooking segment on the Today show with my friend @MattLauerNBC. Driving uptown I was in shock as I heard the news of his dismissal due to allegations of sexual misconduct at work. As I watched @SavannahGuthrie read Andy Lack’s statement, I was utterly shaken up. I must say that in all the many years I have been on the @TodayShow I have only experienced a warm, cordial and respectful environment. When I walked into 30 Rock it felt like someone had died. The mood was somber to say the least, shell shocked would be more accurate. Like finding out your dad has been cheating on your mom and the happy family you thought you were living in is in fact broken. I must say that in all the years I have known Matt, and worked with him on the Today show, I have never found him to be anything but empathic, kind, totally appropriate, and respectful of me; a consummate professional. But as someone who has experienced sexual assault and sexual harassment I know how hard it is to come forward or even properly process that it is indeed happening to you. Especially when it’s someone who holds such a high place in one’s profession. I don’t know who the women who have come forward but I can tell you how hard it is to even admit that it’s actually happened. You feel utterly intimidated and often blame yourself. There is no upside to a victim speaking out. And as a victim myself I am thankful she did. I am deeply saddened about Matt as I am saddened about @CharlieRose, two people I have very much looked up to in television. Their presence and contributions to our industry will be sorely missed. But I stand in solidarity with the victims. And while this is a painful period in our cultural history, it is a good and necessary purging one of the most harmful aspects of the ‘old boys club’. There is always pain when the thorn gets pulled out of the flesh. But only when it’s gone can the healing begin.

A post shared by Padma Lakshmi (@padmalakshmi) on Nov 29, 2017 at 1:21pm PST

Naturally, a gleeful President Trump had something say as well, referencing NBC and MSNBC News chairman Andrew Lack.

Many celebrities had something to say Trump commenting on the situation.

Yahoo will continue to update this story as more reactions come in.

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
Matt Lauer: 4 times he interviewed people about sexual harassment this year
Sexual misconduct allegations in Hollywood summed up in one shocking infographic
Bruno Mars on the most nerve-racking moment of his new Apollo special