Sexual harassment timeline (The men of politics and media)

Politicians have a reputation for lying, but does that mean they would lie about sexual harassment? Journalists and the media have a job to share the truth, but does that mean they always share all of it? As more women and victims of sexual assault, harassment and intimidation have come forward in the past few months,the men listed below are only some of the dozens of high-profile men across politics, journalism and the media who have been accused and faced severe consequences which damaged their reputations.

Donald Trump: 2016

During the 2016 presidential election, Trump was in hot water when women accused him of sexual harassment. It almost caused him to lose the election, giving Clinton more support. Over 20 women shared what Trump said about them or what he did to them, and notably, the Washington Post released an infamous “Access Hollywood” backstage video of Trump on Oct. 7, 2016, in which then-candidate Trump could be overheard telling TV host Billy Bush that when it comes to dealing with women, “I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it, you can do anything… grab them by the pussy.”

Trump has denied all allegations against him, saying that he has the most respect for women. Even as recently as this month, he has suggested that it was not his voice in the video.

Mark Halperin: Oct. 26

Halperin, a political analyst at ABC News, has had 12 women come forward and claim that he made unwanted sexual advances. He did not deny it, instead according to CNN he said he is very sorry for all the “pain and anguish” he caused for those women. He admitted to his sexual relations with women on his staff that were much younger than him. As a result of the allegations, several news organizations including  MSNBC and NBC News, have cut ties with Halperin, according to an Oct. 30 story in The New York Times, and he will no longer star in the HBO movie “The Circus.”

Roy Moore: Nov. 13

Roy Moore, an Alabama politician and former state judge, that just lost his election for senator, has been accused by nine women of various charges of sexual assault and harassment, including one of them from four decades ago with a 14 year old girl. Leigh Corfman claims that when she was 14 and Moore was 32, the politician picked her up and took her to his house where he kissed her, leading to inappropriate touching. Corfman was uncomfortable and asked to go home, which he then did after mentally damaging her according to The Washington Post. Moore has denied all allegations and said, according to a FOX News report from Nov. 13, that the accusation are “based on a lie supported by innuendo.”

Al Franken: Nov. 20

Sen. Franken, a Democrat from Minnesota,is accused of sexual misconduct and offensive behavior by at least four different women. One accuser, radio host Leeann Tweeden, said Franken kissed her when she did not give him consent in 2006 and also inappropriately touched her while she was asleep on an airplane. Franken also took offensive and sexually suggestive photos with women, who later said they were upset with his behavior. He inappropriately touched them, and each time was a separate incident.

Franken responded to this to Time, saying, “I know I have a lot of work to do to regain the trust of the people I’ve let down, the people of Minnesota, my friends and colleagues, everyone who counts on me to be a champion for women.”

Charlie Rose: Nov. 22

Rose, a once-admired journalist, co-anchor of the CBS morning show “This Morning” and host of his self-titled PBS talk show,was suspected of making unwanted sexual contact with eight women, which included inappropriate touching, phone calls and walking around naked in front of them, according to The Washington Post. Rose admitted to the incidents, later saying he was deeply sorry for what he did and that he regrets being so insensitive towards these women. Rose’s producer, Yvette Vega, knew about what happened to all the women, and she also apologized for not stepping in and helping them when she should have.

Matt Lauer: Nov. 29

Lauer, who this year celebrated his 20-year anniversary as an anchor for the NBC “Today” morning show, was fired from NBC for making inappropriate comments and sexually assaulting women. There is no specific answer for how many accusers there are, but many of them took place in his work. Lauer’s co workers were shocked when they found out the news minutes before going on live TV and his co- host responded with, “All we can say is we are heartbroken; I’m heartbroken.”

Lauer gave a public apology for his actions and said, “There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.”