- John Weaver of the Lincoln Project has been accused by multiple men, including a minor, of sexual harassment.
- Lincoln Project co-founders Steve Schmidt, Rick Wilson, and George Conway have appeared on MSNBC 17 times since the story first broke on January 11.
- They were not asked about the allegations during any of their interviews.
MSNBC hosts did not ask Lincoln Project co-founders about sexual harassment allegations against their colleague despite booking them 17 times over three weeks.
The Lincoln Project, a pro-Democrat group, was forced to disavow co-founder John Weaver on Jan. 31 following a New York Times report that he sexually propositioned men and boys on social media.
The Lincoln Project claimed in a statement that it was “betrayed and deceived by John Weaver.”
The Lincoln Project today released the following statement. pic.twitter.com/k9QkUsiFO5
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) January 31, 2021
Weaver’s sexual misconduct was first reported by Ryan Girdusky of The American Conservative on Jan. 11. After Girdusky published his story, the Lincoln Project quietly removed Weaver from its site’s “Our Team” page. Weaver released a statement to Axios on Jan. 15 in which he said that he “viewed [the messages] as consensual mutual conversations at the time.” The Lincoln Project’s only official response to the story until Jan. 31 was a comment to Axios in which a spokesperson said that Weaver’s “statement speaks for itself.”
The Lincoln Project was able to avoid commenting on the Weaver allegations partly due to the fact that its co-founders were not asked about them during their many cable news appearances. In the three weeks between Girdusky’s initial report and the Times’ follow-up, George Conway appeared on MSNBC at least two times, Steve Schmidt appeared on MSNBC at least eight times, and Rick Wilson appeared on MSNBC at least seven times. (RELATED: MSNBC Fails To Question Lincoln Project Officials About Allegations Against Co-Founder)
Girdusky has claimed that Lincoln Project leaders knew about Weaver’s conduct, but did not address it.
This statement by the @ProjectLincoln is an absolute lie.
Members did know. Young men approached them about the accusations. Members knew I was writing the story and warned John Weaver pic.twitter.com/BZms5iLgpL
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) January 31, 2021
When discussing impeachment on MSNBC’s Deadline on Jan. 26, Lincoln Project co-founder Rick Wilson said that Republicans are “sunk in a swamp of complete moral and personal cowardice.” This appearance was 15 days after Girdusky first reported on the Weaver allegations.
Wilson has not addressed the Weaver allegations, although he did respond dismissively to a tweet alluding to the scandal.
No, sorry.
I’m not interested in subscribing to your RealDoll Fancier Newsletter.
Thank you. https://t.co/OphUWwDSsO
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) January 31, 2021
Steve Schmidt, another Lincoln Project co-founder, has served as a paid contributor on MSNBC since 2019, according to the Washington Post. During his eight appearances between Girdusky’s report and the NYT story, Schmidt offered commentary on his campaign to force Trump supporters “to apologize and retire from public life.”
Like his organization, Schmidt would not publicly comment on the Weaver scandal until Jan. 31. Although Schmidt did “condemn [Weaver’s] disgusting, immoral, predatory conduct,” he immediately pivoted to a critique of former President Donald Trump. Schmidt tweeted at Donald Trump, Jr., saying Weaver’s “conduct would get him promoted in your organization.”
.@DonaldJTrumpJr Hey Uday, I’d like to take a moment and “dialogue” with you. @ProjectLincoln condemns John Weaver unequivocally. I condemn his disgusting, immoral, predatory conduct. As the father of a 14 year old boy I hope law enforcement will examine his interactions https://t.co/FAQ5aEOe9Q
— Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) January 31, 2021
With the boy he was in communication with. I am incandescent with rage at his betrayal and conduct and pray for every person he has hurt and damaged with his lying and predations. Let’s be honest though, his conduct would get him promoted in your organization. Your Father is a
— Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) January 31, 2021
Grabien records show that MSNBC was the only network on which Conway, Schmidt, and Wilson appeared between Jan. 11 and 31.
MSNBC did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment regarding its professional relationship with Schmidt and Wilson.
This story has been updated to clarify that MSNBC is the only network the co-founders appeared on during the time period.