Barack and Michelle Obama released a statement on Harvey Weinstein's sexual assault and harassment reports last night. The former President and First Lady said they are "disgusted" by the film producer's alleged actions and praised the women who spoke out against him.
They wrote:
"Michelle and I have been disgusted by the recent reports about Harvey Weinstein. Any man who demeans and degrades women in such fashion needs to be condemned and held accountable, regardless of wealth or status. We should celebrate the courage of women who have come forward to tell these painful stories. And we all need to build a culture — including by empowering our girls and teaching our boys decency and respect — so we can make such behavior less prevalent in the future."
Weinstein is known to be a major Democratic Party donor, CNN reports. He fundraised for the Obama-Biden presidential campaign in 2012, and both of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaigns. The former Secretary of State also released a statement yesterday, saying she was "shocked and appalled by the revelations about Harvey Weinstein". The Obamas' older daughter, Malia, interned for Weinstein's film company this year before beginning college at Harvard.
Following the Obamas and Clinton, other Democratic Party leaders also publicly responded to the sexual harassment allegations against Weinstein. Senate Minority Leader, Senator Chuck Schumer, tweeted, "What Mr. Weinstein did was awful," and pledged to contribute the producer's donations to New York-based charities supporting sexual assault victims. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi also released a statement calling out Weinstein's "despicable actions."
