CBS This Morning devoted the first nine minutes of its broadcast this morning with news of its own. Co-host Charlie Rose has been suspended following news of sexual harassment allegations against him.
“Welcome to CBS This Morning. CBS News and PBS take Charlie Rose off the air,” said Norah O’Donnell at the start of the broadcast. It was also the lead of the show’s Eye Opener at 7 a.m. and the lead story of the broadcast, reported by Bianna Golodryga.
The normally three-anchor show, began with just two hosts: Gayle King and Norah O’Donnell. Following Golodryga’s report, both O’Donnell and King delivered impassioned statements about their friend and co-host. Neither have spoken to Rose since the story broke.
O’Donnell: This is a moment that demands a frank and honest assessment about where we stand and more generally the safety of women. Let me be very clear. There is no excuse for this alleged behavior. Here’s the full statement:
Here is the statement I made at the top of the show on @CBSThisMorning: pic.twitter.com/uAO5yV3wV7
— Norah O’Donnell?? (@NorahODonnell) November 21, 2017
King: I really am still reeling. I got an hour and 42 minutes of sleep last night, both my son and my daughter called me. Oprah called me and said, ‘Are you okay?’ I am not okay. After reading that article in the Post, it was deeply disturbing, troubling and painful for me to read. And here’s King’s full statement:
“I really am reeling. I got 1 hour & 42 minutes of sleep last night, both my son and my daughter called me. Oprah called me and said, are you okay? I am not okay. After reading that article in the Post, it was deeply disturbing, troubling and painful for me to read.” – @GayleKing pic.twitter.com/EQoEBHFkUr
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) November 21, 2017
The Washington Post first broke the news late Monday of eight women accusing Rose of sexual harassment.
After the Post published its story, CBS said in a statement, “Charlie Rose is suspended immediately while we look into this matter. These allegations are extremely disturbing and we take them seriously.” PBS has also suspended Rose from his nightly Charlie Rose Show which also airs on Bloomberg.
Both NBC’s Today show and ABC’s Good Morning America also made the Rose allegations and his suspension their lead story. “New sexual harassment bombshell. Veteran journalist Charlie Rose now at the center of accusations,” said ABC’s Robin Roberts. “Breaking overnight. More women come forward to accuse Charlie Rose of inappropriate sexual behavior. The total number now up to 13,” said Savannah Guthrie on NBC.
