Just before the network announced the firing of Charlie Rose, the host’s now-former co-anchors, Gayle King and Norah O’Donnell opened up about the situation, providing their support for Rose’s alleged victims. At the time, Rose was suspended from “CBS This Morning” after eight women accused him of sexual harassment and misconduct in a detailed Washington Post reports.
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“It takes a lot of courage for these women to come forward and I think that they should continue to do so,” O’Donnell said. “This is a moment that demands a frank and honest assessment about where we stand and more generally the safety of women. Let me be very clear: There is no excuse for this alleged behavior. It is systematic and pervasive and I’ve been doing a lot of listening and I’m going to continue to do that.”
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“This I know is true, women cannot achieve equality in the workplace or in society until there is a reckoning or taking of responsibility,” she added. “I’m so proud to work at CBS News. There are so many incredible people here, especially on this show. All of you here. This will be investigated. This has to end. This behavior is wrong.”
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As O’Donnell finished, King provided her take on the entire situation, revealing that she is “not okay.”
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“I got 1 hour and 42 minutes of sleep last night. Both my son and daughter called me. Oprah called me and said, ‘Are you okay?’” she said. “I am not okay. After reading that article in the Post, it was deeply disturbing, troubling and painful for me to read.”
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“I think that we have to make this matter to woman – the woman that have spoken up, the women who have not spoken up because they are afraid, I’m hoping that now they will take the step to speak up too and that this becomes a moment of truth,” she continued, just before discussing her relationship with Rose. “I’ve enjoyed a friendship and a partnership with Charlie for the last 5 years. I’ve held him in such a high regard. What do you say when someone that you deeply care about has done something that is so horrible? How do you wrap your brain around that? I’m really grappling with that.”
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“That said, Charlie does not get a pass here,” she continued. “He does not get a pass from anyone in this room. We are all deeply affected, we are all rocked by this.”
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King then addressed the victims that have come forward, praising them for their courage, adding that she is on the side of the women that have been damaged by this, despite her former relationship with Rose. The two then reiterated to their fans that they will not shy away from the Charlie Rose allegations.
