MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, Andrea Mitchell defend Brokaw amid harassment allegations

MSNBC anchors Andrea Mitchell and Rachel Maddow are among a group of women to sign onto a letter vouching for veteran NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw’s character as he faces allegations of sexual harassment.

The letter, signed by current and former colleagues of Brokaw that was obtained by The Hollywood Reporter on Friday, refers to the anchor as “a man of tremendous decency and integrity” and describes him as respectful and professional. 

“Tom has treated each of us with fairness and respect. He has given each of us opportunities for advancement and championed our successes throughout our careers,” the letter states.

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“As we have advanced across industries — news, publishing, law, business and government — Tom has been a valued source of counsel and support.”

The message of support came a day after allegations emerged in The Washington Post and Variety that Brokaw made inappropriate advances on two women in the 1990s.

One of Brokaw’s accusers, former NBC News correspondent Linda Vester, claimed in interviews with both the Post and Variety that Brokaw tried to kiss her without her permission and groped her. 

Brokaw has denied the allegations, saying that his only interactions with Vester were at her request and that nothing inappropriate happened between them.

In a message to a handful of NBC News colleagues on Friday, Brokaw said that he had been “ambushed” by false allegations, and sought to question Vester’s honesty, saying that she had a “reputation as a colleague who had trouble with the truth.”