A co-founder of the anti-Trump group the Lincoln Project has been accused of sending sexually charged and inappropriate messages to over a dozen young men.
In these messages, John Weaver is alleged to have offered jobs and career help to them in exchange for sex.
John Weaver, a GOP strategist and Lincoln Project co-founder, has for years sent unsolicited and sexually provocative messages to young men, often while suggesting he could help them work in politics, according to interviews with 21 men who received them.https://t.co/pUe961l7qX
— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 31, 2021
21 Men Have Accused The Lincoln Project’s John Weaver Of Sending Them Provocative Messages
The New York Times reported Sunday that Weaver told a young man that he would “spoil you when we see each other” and “help you other times. Give advice, counsel, help with bills. You help me … sensually.”
Weaver has worked in the past with the late Sen. John McCain and former Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
Out of the 21 men who accused Weaver of sending inappropriate messages, one claims to have been receiving messages from the Lincoln Project founder since when he was 14-years-old.
You know I just think its funny how the @ProjectLincoln created a database to make sure low-level Trump staffers could never get a job again yet their founder John Weaver is a prolific sexual predator and they totally had ‘no idea it was happening the entire time’
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) January 31, 2021
Lincoln Project Officials Claim They Were Unaware Of Weaver’s Controversial Activities
Representatives of the Lincoln Project claim to have been completely unaware of these allegations until news stories were published.
Co-founder Steve Schmidt told the Times, “There was no awareness or insinuations of any type of inappropriate behavior when we became aware of the chatter at the time.”
The Lincoln Project issued a statement calling Weaver “a predator, a liar, and an abuser.”
“John Weaver led a secret life that was built on a foundation of deception at every level,” the statement read. “He is a predator, a liar, and an abuser.”
“We extend our deepest sympathies to those who were targeted by his deplorable and predatory behavior,” it continued. “We are disgusted and outraged that someone in a position of power and trust would use it for these means.”
The Lincoln Project today released the following statement. pic.twitter.com/k9QkUsiFO5
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) January 31, 2021
Weaver Admitted Sending The Messages On January 15
The statement went on, “The totality of his deceptions are beyond anything any of us could have imagined and we are absolutely shocked and sickened by it. Like so many, we have been betrayed and deceived by John Weaver.”
“We are grateful beyond words that at no time was John Weaver in the physical presence of any member of The Lincoln Project,” the group insisted.
In an Axios report on January 15, Weaver admitted sending “inappropriate” messages to young men.
“The truth is that I’m gay. And that I have a wife and two kids who I love,” Weaver said at the time. “My inability to reconcile those two truths has led to this agonizing place.”
“To the men I made uncomfortable through my messages that I viewed as consensual mutual conversations at the time: I am truly sorry,” Weaver said.
“They were inappropriate and it was because of my failings that this discomfort was brought on you,” he added.