Bette Midler has accused Geraldo Rivera of groping as well as drugging her in the 70s.
Rivera has previously tweeted out “news is a flirty business” in regards to the firing of Matt Lauer prompting Midler to respond with a video from 1991 where she details what happened stating:
“Tomorrow is my birthday. I feel like this video was a gift from the universe to me. Geraldo may have apologized for his tweets supporting Matt Lauer, but he has yet to apologize for this. #MeToo”
Tomorrow is my birthday. I feel like this video was a gift from the universe to me. Geraldo may have apologized for his tweets supporting Matt Lauer, but he has yet to apologize for this. #MeToo pic.twitter.com/TkcolFWfA2
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) November 30, 2017
Rivera apologized by tweeting: ““Although I recall the time @BetteMidler has alluded to much differently than she, that does not change the fact that she has a right to speak out & demand an apology from me, for in the very least, publically embarrassing her all those years ago. Bette, I apologize,” Rivera wrote in the first two tweets.”
Although I recall the time @BetteMidler has alluded to much differently than she, that does not change the fact that she has a right to speak out & demand an apology from me, for in the very least, publically embarrassing her all those years ago. Bette, I apologize.
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) December 1, 2017
He previously wrote a book some 27 years ago detailing his behavior up to that point. “27 years ago I wrote a tawdry book depicting consensual events in 1973-45 years ago-I’ve deeply regretted its distasteful & disrespectful tone & have refrained from speaking about it-I’m embarrassed & profoundly sorry to those mentioned-I have & again apologize to anyone offended”
27 years ago I wrote a tawdry book depicting consensual events in 1973-45 years ago-I’ve deeply regretted its distasteful & disrespectful tone & have refrained from speaking about it-I’m embarrassed & profoundly sorry to those mentioned-I have & again apologize to anyone offended
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) December 1, 2017
As reported by Breitbart News:
“I did not offer myself up on the altar of Geraldo Rivera,” said Midler, calling his behavior “unseemly.”
After Midler tells Walters that she had no way of knowing “these things are going to come back to haunt you,” Walters suggests they discuss other subjects.
Midler came to prominence at the start of the ’70s, which included the release of her debut album “The Divine Miss M.”
Walters opened up the topic by asking Midler’s reaction to Rivera’s 1991 autobiography “Exposing Myself,” including what Walters called his account of a “torrid sexual affair” with Midler, whom he labeled “insatiable.”
Midler smiles, saying she was glad the book runs counter to her image at the time of the interview as that of a “somewhat straight-laced” older lady.
“The truth about it is I didn’t remember” such an affair, Midler said. “One thing I did remember is how I met Geraldo, and that was not funny,” she added, then recounted the alleged assault.
On Wednesday, Rivera waded into the sexual misconduct crisis that has spread through media, politics and Hollywood and snared “Today” show Lauer, fired after allegations were reported by NBC and in more detailed form by Variety and The New York Times. In his first public statement, Lauer said he is “truly sorry” to anyone he hurt by his words and actions.
Rivera tweeted that the issue is “so red hot right now there is no room for any thought or opinion but hang em high.” He added: “If News wasn’t (formerly) a flirty biz then how do we explain so many newsroom courtships that have led to happy marriages?”