Amber Randall on December 5, 2017
Actress Lena Dunham claimed she tried to warn the Clinton campaign about Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein’s alleged inappropriate behavior during the 2016 presidential election, according to a Tuesday report.
Dunham, a long-time Hillary Clinton supporter, said she tried to tell Clinton campaign staffers of the numerous assault and harassment allegations against Weinstein, a Clinton donor and supporter, The New York Times reported.
Dunham alleged she had heard rumors and firsthand accounts from women who experienced inappropriate behavior from the Hollywood producer, prompting her to bring information to the campaign, according to TheNYT.
“I just want you to let you know that Harvey’s a rapist and this is going to come out at some point. I think it’s a really bad idea for him to host fund-raisers and be involved because it’s an open secret in Hollywood that he has a problem with sexual assault,” Dunham said she related to Clinton campaign deputy communications director Kristina Schake.
Dunham also said she mentioned her concerns to Clinton spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod, but noticed that Weinstein was still helping Clinton campaign by hosting a fundraiser in the final weeks before the election.
Both Schake and Elrod denied receiving warnings from Dunham about Weinstein.
“We were shocked when we learned what he’d done. It’s despicable behavior, and the women that have come forward have shown enormous courage. As to claims about a warning, that’s something staff wouldn’t forget,” Nick Merrill, Clinton’s communications director, said in a statement, adding “Only she can answer why she would tell them instead of those who could stop him.”
At least 40 women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment or assault. A representative for Weinstein has denied all accounts of nonconsensul sex.
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