Clinton ‘shocked and appalled’ by Weinstein allegations

Hillary Clinton on Tuesday broke her silence about sexual assault allegations leveled against film producer and Democratic mega-donor Harvey Weinstein, saying his alleged behavior “cannot be tolerated.”

“I was shocked and appalled by the revelations about Harvey Weinstein,” the former Democratic presidential nominee said in a statement posted to Twitter by her former campaign spokesman Nick Merrill, which her account retweeted.

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“The behavior described by women coming forward cannot be tolerated. Their courage and the support of others is critical in helping to stop this kind of behavior,” Clinton said.

Clinton had come under pressure in recent days to respond to the allegations against Weinstein, who had donated to her and other prominent Democratic politicians.

The New York Times last week published an investigative story about sexual harassment accusations against Weinstein stretching back decades.

The New Yorker and Times each published additional accounts on Tuesday from women accusing Weinstein of sexual assault and harassment, respectively.

Three women who spoke to The New Yorker accused Weinstein of rape.

Weinstein has been a longtime fundraiser for Democratic politicians, including Clinton and former President Barack Obama.

Between 1990-2016, the film producer bundled more than $1.4 million for Clinton’s campaigns and political action committees, according to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics.

In May 2015, Weinstein personally donated $2,700 – the maximum amount possible for individuals – to Clinton’s campaign and contributed another $2,700 in November 2016, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data. He also donated more than $33,000 to the Hillary Victory Fund in 2016.

Earlier Tuesday, a former campaign manager for Clinton’s 2008 presidential bid said it was “disappointing” that Clinton had not spoken out against the veteran Hollywood producer, citing the former secretary of State’s work on behalf of girls and women.

“As long as I have known her, she really has walked the walk and talked the talk on this,” Patti Solis Doyle said on CNN.

“I know her heart is in the right place. So personally it is, it is disappointing that she hasn’t come out and condemned Harvey Weinstein,” she added.

Democratic lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.), have sought to distance themselves from Weinstein in the wake of the allegations by vowing to donate funds from the film producer to nonprofit groups that help female victims of sexual abuse.

Updated: 2:15 p.m.