Katie Couric's Shocking Text Messages To Fired Matt Lauer Exposed, Co-Host Showed Disgraced Star Support Amid Career-Ending Sexual Misconduct Scandal
Katie Couric supported her former NBC co-star Matt Lauer despite the Today host being fired in the wake of a sexual misconduct scandal, new text messages reveal.
In her memoir, Going There, the veteran TV star reveals way more than just Prince Harry smelling of cigarettes and booze. Couric also exposes that she supported Lauer amid his career and reputation blunder.
In 2017, NBC fired Lauer after several female employees came forward with sexual misconduct accusations, with one accuser alleging he sexually assaulted her in his office in 2001.
Following the news of his unemployement, Couric sent her decades-long friend a series of supportive messages.
"I love you and care about you deeply," one of the text messages obtained by Daily Mail reads. Couric also sent him another text saying, "I am crushed" following his termination.
In her book, she calls Lauer a "decent" man and admits she felt "heartless to abandon him." She also recalls Lauer being worried about how he would tell his kids the news.
Claiming her "heart sank" when the allegations against her Today co-host of 9 years came out, Couric found herself feeling sorry for Lauer, writing she "couldn't imagine" what the situation was like for him.
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"I am crushed. I love you and care about you deeply. I am here. Please let me know if you want to talk. There will be better days ahead," she text to Lauer.
According to Daily Mail, she also expresses that she had doubts about the allegations and wondered whether the claims were true.
Couric says she was worried that Lauer was "sleepless, haggard, depressed, maybe worse."
Despite being in disbelief at first, Couric admits she finally came to the realization that her co-host was an "excellent professional partner, a good friend, and a predator."
Lauer and his wife, Annette Roque, split shortly after the scandal. She filed for divorce in 2019.
Couric's book gives a behind-the-scenes look at the tumultuous world of media and an insight into her personal life once the cameras stop rolling.
Going There is set to be released on October 26.
