Topic: Sexual Misconduct

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces a "hit piece" from Vanity Fair involving allegations of sexual misconduct with a babysitter in 1998 and a controversial photo involving a charred animal carcass. RFK Jr. clarified the animal was a goat (cabrito) from South America, while acknowledging he has "skeletons in his closet."

The FDIC is facing renewed scrutiny following reports of widespread sexual harassment and misconduct under the leadership of Chairman Martin Gruenberg. An Inspector General report from 2020 revealed that nearly 200 employees experienced harassment, including incidents at agency-sponsored parties.

Criminal charges against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo were dropped by Albany County District Attorney David Soares. Although the prosecutor found the accuser, Brittany Camiso, to be "credible," he stated there was insufficient evidence to prove the allegations in court. The hosts suggested the outcome was a "foregone conclusion" in the context of New York's political system.

The New York Times faced criticism for its reporting on Tara Reade’s sexual assault allegation against Joe Biden. The paper claimed to find no "pattern" of misconduct despite acknowledging Biden's history of unwanted touching, leading to accusations of media bias in favor of the Democratic candidate.

An explosive internal report from CBS accused former CEO Les Moonves of destroying evidence and misleading investigators regarding sexual misconduct allegations. The report alleged that Moonves had a CBS employee "on call" for sexual favors and attempted to protect his $120 million severance package by deleting text messages. CBS News provided extensive coverage of the report, suggesting a significant internal turn against the former executive.

The resignation of CBS CEO Les Moonves highlights the ongoing impact of the Me Too movement on powerful media executives. Allegations against Moonves involve mature women who feared reporting the incidents would ruin their careers. The discussion explores how powerful men in the entertainment and political industries use their positions to intimidate subordinates, characterizing the behavior as a toxic expression of power and control.

Comedian Louis C.K. made an unannounced 15-minute appearance at the Comedy Cellar in New York, his first since admitting to sexual misconduct. The performance sparked a backlash from critics who believe he has not stayed out of the public eye long enough. The discussion questions the long-term effectiveness of the MeToo movement as various figures attempt to return to their careers.

CBS CEO Les Moonves faces multiple allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to the 1980s, as detailed in a report by Ronan Farrow for The New Yorker. While the Los Angeles District Attorney declined to pursue charges due to the statute of limitations, the CBS board is currently investigating the claims. Moonves has admitted to making "advances" in the past but denies misusing his position to hinder any woman's career.

The Huffington Post reports that Kimberly Guilfoyle's departure from Fox News was not voluntary but followed a human resources investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior. Allegations include abusive treatment of hair and makeup staff and the sharing of inappropriate images in the workplace. Guilfoyle has since joined a pro-Trump super PAC and is romantically linked to Donald Trump Jr.

Over 200 tenured professors at the University of Southern California signed a letter demanding the resignation of the school's president following a scandal involving gynecologist George Tyndall. Tyndall is accused of decades of improper pelvic exams and making racially inappropriate comments toward female students at the campus health center.

NBCUniversal released the findings of an internal investigation into Matt Lauer's conduct, concluding that leadership had no prior knowledge of his behavior before the November 2017 complaint. Critics, including the attorney for Lauer's first accuser, argue that the investigation should have been conducted by a third party rather than the company's own general counsel.

Missouri Governor Eric Greitens faces multiple felony charges, including the alleged non-consensual taking of a photo of a partially nude woman. The investigation has revealed accusations of unwanted sexual encounters involving spanking and slapping, leading to calls for his resignation.

The Dallas Mavericks organization is under investigation for a hostile workplace environment and rampant sexual misconduct. Owner Mark Cuban, who recently faced a $600,000 fine for comments about "tanking" games, is being scrutinized for his role in the culture. Comparisons are being made to former Clippers owner Donald Sterling, suggesting the NBA may use these allegations to force Cuban to sell the team.

Tavis Smiley is suing PBS for breach of contract after the network pulled his show following allegations of sexual misconduct. Smiley claims he was railroaded and has not been given specific details about the complaints against him. Some observers speculate that Smiley's previous pro-Second Amendment comments may have contributed to his ouster from the public broadcaster.

The New York Times published a chronological list of 68 prominent men who lost their positions following sexual misconduct allegations after the Harvey Weinstein scandal. Notable figures mentioned include chef Mario Batali, journalist Matt Lauer, and music mogul Russell Simmons. The discussion notes a high frequency of allegations within NPR and the classical arts, while questioning the omission of figures like Bill O'Reilly and Roger Ailes from certain lists.

Palo Alto High School painted over a mural created by alumnus James Franco following allegations of sexual misconduct. Franco's former teacher, Esther Wojcicki, expressed concern that he was not given a chance to defend himself, while students argued the school needed to "distance" itself from the actor.

Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown resigned following allegations of sexual misconduct, which he categorically denied and vowed to fight in court. Additionally, Canadian federal minister Kent Hehr resigned from the cabinet after allegations surfaced regarding inappropriate comments made to women in elevators. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated his government's unequivocal support for women who come forward with such allegations.

Billionaire casino mogul Steve Wynn resigned as the finance chairman of the Republican National Committee following a Wall Street Journal report detailing decades of alleged sexual misconduct. The allegations include Wynn pressuring employees for sex acts and maintaining a "climate of fear" at his properties. The report also mentioned Wynn’s use of German Shepherds trained to respond to German commands, which some media outlets used to characterize him as an ominous figure.

Folklorist and radio host Garrison Keillor was terminated by Minnesota Public Radio following allegations of inappropriate behavior. Keillor claimed the incident involved placing his hand on a woman's bare back to console her, but the network severed ties regardless. The hosts discuss Keillor's significant influence on the liberal public radio audience and the impact of his removal from "A Prairie Home Companion."

NBC News fired longtime Today Show host Matt Lauer following a detailed complaint of sexual misconduct in the workplace. The hosts analyze the public reaction, including the emotional on-air announcement by Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb. They discuss rumors of Lauer's behavior dating back to the Sochi Olympics and speculate on whether NBC management was truly unaware of his conduct.