Alec Baldwin pulls plug on Twitter after backlash for comments about Weinstein settlements

The Wrap
November 5, 2017 at 3:52AM
FILE - In this Tuesday, April 4, 2017 file photo, actor and author Alec Baldwin appears at Barnes & Noble Union Square to sign copies of his new book, "Nevertheless: A Memoir," in New York.
FILE - In this Tuesday, April 4, 2017 file photo, actor and author Alec Baldwin appears at Barnes & Noble Union Square to sign copies of his new book, "Nevertheless: A Memoir," in New York. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Alec Baldwin is parting ways with his personal Twitter account for the time being, after coming under fire for comments he made about women who've settled sexual harassment suits with disgraced media mogul Harvey Weinstein.

"It is w some degree of sadness that I will suspend posting on this a TWITTER account for a period of and in the current climate," Baldwin tweeted Saturday.

"It was never my intention, in my public statements, to 'blame the victim' in the many sexual assault cases that have emerged recently," he continued.

"I simply posited that the settlement of such cases certainly delayed justice, though I am fully aware that those settlements were entered into w the understanding that settlement is wise, intimidated into believing so. My heart goes out to all such victims. My goal is to do better in all things related to gender equality."

He went on to added that his foundation's account, @ABFalecbaldwin, will continue to post about work they are doing with the arts and environment.

1- it is w some degree of sadness that I will suspend posting on this a TWITTER account for a period of and in the current climate.

— AlecBaldwin (@AlecBaldwin) November 4, 2017

2- It was never my intention, in my public statements, to "blame the victim" in the many sexual assault cases that have emerged recently

— AlecBaldwin (@AlecBaldwin) November 4, 2017

3- I simply posited that the settlement of such cases certainly delayed justice, though I am fully aware that those settlements were …

— AlecBaldwin (@AlecBaldwin) November 4, 2017

4- entered into w the understanding that settlement is wise, intimidated into believing so.

— AlecBaldwin (@AlecBaldwin) November 4, 2017

5- my heart goes out to all such victims. My goal is to do better in all things related to gender equality.
Au revoir.

— AlecBaldwin (@AlecBaldwin) November 4, 2017

6- my Foundation acct, @ABFalecbaldwin , will continue to post re our work w the arts and environment.

— AlecBaldwin (@AlecBaldwin) November 4, 2017

During an interview with PBS NewsHour on Friday, Baldwin mentioned that the rumor that Weinstein raped Rose McGowan had circulated Hollywood for decades and that no one came forward because "it was for Rose McGowan to prosecute that case."

Citing a New York Times article that questioned if settlements in these kinds of cases "hurt the cause of exposing and bringing us to a place of real change," Baldwin said, "When women take money, and are silenced by that money — even though they took the money and were silenced because they were told beyond the money it was the right thing for them to do, keep quiet, don't make too many waves, it's going to hurt your career — when they do it, nonetheless, does it set back the course of change? That's an issue, I think."

.@AlecBaldwin on a culture of complicity in Hollywood after allegations of sexual harassment and assault by fmr movie mogul #HarveyWeinstein pic.twitter.com/jHeWAhEuOg

– PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) November 3, 2017

One of Weinstein's accusers, Asia Argento, called Baldwin out on his NewsHour interview, tweeting, "Hey @AlecBaldwin you're either a complete moron or providing cover for your pals and saving your own rep. Maybe all three." She added in a second tweet, "Alec Baldwin mansplaining 'the cause' for women everywhere. That's a good caption for that video."

Hey @AlecBaldwin you're either a complete moron or providing cover for your pals and saving your own rep. Maybe all three. https://t.co/sMERs2Y11y

— Asia Argento (@AsiaArgento) November 4, 2017

Alec Baldwin mansplaining 'the cause' for women everywhere. That's a good caption for that video. https://t.co/aG7zSMn3T4

— Asia Argento (@AsiaArgento) November 4, 2017

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