Brian Williams: ‘I Am Presently Too Much a Part of the News, Due to My Actions’

By Mark Joyella 

Brian Williams will step aside from “NBC Nightly News” for the next “several days” to address questions raised about a story Williams told of being in a helicopter hit by an RPG over Iraq in 2003–a story widely discredited.

In an email obtained by TVNewser, Williams told NBC News staff his presence on the network newscast had become a distraction. “In the midst of a career spent covering and consuming news, it has become painfully apparent to me that I am presently too much a part of the news, due to my actions.”

Williams says Lester Holt will anchor Nightly in his absence.

Advertisement

Here is the note, in full:

In the midst of a career spent covering and consuming news, it has become painfully apparent to me that I am presently too much a part of the news, due to my actions.

As Managing Editor of NBC Nightly News, I have decided to take myself off of my daily broadcast for the next several days, and Lester Holt has kindly agreed to sit in for me to allow us to adequately deal with this issue. Upon my return, I will continue my career-long effort to be worthy of the trust of those who place their trust in us.

Advertisement