Hoda Kotb Privately Stands By Disgraced Former Colleague Matt Lauer

In a surprising turn of events, Hoda Kotb, the beloved co-host of NBC's Today show, is reportedly standing by her disgraced former colleague Matt Lauer as his accuser prepares to release a bombshell tell-all book. What this really means is that Kotb is willing to put her own reputation on the line to support a man who was fired from the network in 2017 amid a flurry of sexual misconduct allegations.

A Controversial Choice

According to a report from the National Enquirer, Kotb has been "privately" reaching out to Lauer to offer her support as his former NBC producer Brooke Nevils prepares to detail the alleged sexual assault that led to Lauer's downfall in an upcoming book.

The bigger picture here is that Kotb's decision to stand by Lauer, even privately, is a controversial one that could potentially damage her own reputation and standing with the public. Lauer was fired from Today for a reason, and many viewers may see Kotb's actions as an endorsement of his alleged misconduct.

Lauer's Fall From Grace

It's been nearly a decade since the bombshell revelations about Lauer's behavior first surfaced, leading to his swift firing from NBC. As reported by Distractify, Lauer was accused of sexual harassment by multiple women, and his accuser Brooke Nevils later alleged that he had raped her during the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Lauer has vehemently denied the allegations, insisting that his encounters with Nevils were "completely mutual and consensual." However, the damage to his reputation has been severe, and he has largely disappeared from public life, spending his time at his Hamptons home.

A Risky Move for Kotb

By choosing to stand by Lauer, Kotb is taking a significant risk with her own career and reputation. While the two may have been close colleagues, Kotb's decision to support Lauer could be seen as a betrayal of the Me Too movement and the progress that has been made in holding powerful men accountable for their actions.

Ultimately, Kotb's decision to stand by Lauer is a complex and controversial one, and it remains to be seen how it will impact her standing with the public and her colleagues at NBC. As the Today show continues to grapple with the fallout from the Lauer scandal, Kotb's actions may serve as a litmus test for the network's commitment to addressing issues of sexual misconduct in the workplace.