Meryl Streep Speaks Out Against Harvey Weinstein –”The Behavior is Inexcusable, But the Abuse of Power Familiar”

Meryl Streep has spoken out against Harvey Weinstein.

Since The New York Times‘ report which laid out decades of allegations of Weinstein’s sexual harassment and abuse, some of which resulted in paid settlements — many have called his behavior an industry secret that was widely known but never reported on the record.

But Meryl — who once referred to Weinstein as “God” in an acceptance speech and previously collaborated with him on films like August: Osage County and The Iron Lady– told the Huffington Post that she was unaware of the producer’s “inappropriate, coercive acts,” and called them “disgraceful,” “inexcusable,” and an “abuse of power.”

“The disgraceful news about Harvey Weinstein has appalled those of us whose work he championed, and those whose good and worthy causes he supported. The intrepid women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes.

One thing can be clarified. Not everybody knew. Harvey supported the work fiercely, was exasperating but respectful with me in our working relationship, and with many others with whom he worked professionally. I didn’t know about these other offenses: I did not know about his financial settlements with actresses and colleagues; I did not know about his having meetings in his hotel room, his bathroom, or other inappropriate, coercive acts. And If everybody knew, I don’t believe that all the investigative reporters in the entertainment and the hard news media would have neglected for decades to write about it.

The behavior is inexcusable, but the abuse of power familiar. Each brave voice that is raised, heard and credited by our watchdog media will ultimately change the game.”

Kathy Griffin talked about Weinstein on the stage last night saying,

“That guy seems to be what’s called a rapist. I’m using it as a broad term. There’s a lot of them and they are everywhere. So it’s time we started to fucking look out for each other because this shit has been going on for way too long.”

Even Trump commented on the claims.

“I’ve known Harvey Weinstein for a long time. I’m not at all surprised.“

(We’re not surprised they know each either. Did they exchange stories and techniques?)

In addition to being fired from The Weinstein Company, Weinstein’s political donations to Senate Democrats were given away. His legal advisor Lisa Bloom has resigned from his case.