Donald Trump Jr’s attack on Jimmy Kimmel over Harvey Weinstein sex scandal backfires badly

DONALD Trump Jr went after US late night host Jimmy Kimmel for his supposed silence over the sexual harassment allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. It didn’t go very well.

And Hollywood legends Meryl Streep and Judi Dench have joined a growing chorus of celebrities condemning Weinstein’s alleged conduct.

WEINSTEIN SCANDAL: TV anchor’s shocking allegation

 

The eldest son of President Donald Trump asked Kimmel on Twitter over the weekend what he thought of the claims against liberal campaigner Weinstein.

Quoting Kimmel’s response to his father’s tweet about late night hosts’ “anti-Trump” material, Donald Jr brought up the sex claims:

You mean that big story from the failing, liberal, one-sided @nytimes? I think it is disgusting.

— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) October 7, 2017

“Great I look forward to your monologues next week. You’re probably due for a change if only for a moment or two,” Trump Jr replied to Kimmel’s sarcastic reply.

But his goading didn’t go down well. Kimmel hit back with a link to the Access Hollywood tape in which Trump bragged that “when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything... grab ’em by the pussy”.

Trump Jr hasn’t yet responded.

great - in the meantime, enjoy this! https://t.co/kQsBAioFwh

— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) October 7, 2017

Hollywood heavyweights have begun to speak out against movie mogul Weinstein after days of silence.

The most prominent was actress Meryl Streep, who has starred in a host of Weinstein movies and once jokingly referred to him as a “god”.

“The disgraceful news about Harvey Weinstein has appalled those of us whose work he championed, and those whose good and worthy causes he supported. The intrepid women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes,” Streep said in a statement to the Huffington Post.

She continued: “One thing can be clarified. Not everybody knew. Harvey supported the work fiercely, was exasperating but respectful with me in our working relationship, and with many others with whom he worked professionally. I didn’t know about these other offences: I did not know about his financial settlements with actresses and colleagues; I did not know about his having meetings in his hotel room, his bathroom, or other inappropriate, coercive acts.

“And if everybody knew, I don’t believe that all the investigative reporters in the entertainment and the hard news media would have neglected for decades to write about it.

The behaviour is inexcusable, but the abuse of power familiar. Each brave voice that is raised, heard and credited by our watchdog media will ultimately change the game.”

Dame Judi Dench — who’s said she had Weinstein’s initials tattooed on her rear for launching her Hollywood career — can’t turn the other cheek when it comes to his alleged sex harassment.

“Whilst there is no doubt that Harvey Weinstein has helped and championed my film career for the past twenty years, I was completely unaware of these offenses, which are, of course horrifying and I offer my sympathy to those who have suffered, and wholehearted support to those who have spoken out,” the 82-year-old said in a statement, first reported by Newsweek.

Other Hollywood heavyweights who have condemned Weinstein’s alleged behaviour include Michael Keaton, Susan Sarandon, Jessica Chastain and Patricia Arquette.

H Weinstein -yikes! Disgusting and creepy. So is "leader of the free world" btw

— Michael Keaton (@MichaelKeaton) October 9, 2017

Huge respect for @AshleyJudd and all the women who broke their silence for the article on Harvey Weinstein. Brave.

— Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) October 7, 2017

You're brave @AshleyJudd. I believe you. https://t.co/aPuDcoqPde

— Heather Graham (@imheathergraham) October 8, 2017

To be clear what Harvey Weinstein did was a disgusting abuse of power and horrible. I hope we are now seeing the beginning of the end of these abuses.

— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) October 8, 2017

And the women who speak up about it are brave and heroic. Thankyou @AshleyJudd for your courage. https://t.co/csC1UQSdOB

— Christine Lahti (@ChristineALahti) October 8, 2017

So so true. How long will the dynamic stay in place? Men harass. Companies cover. Women silenced. Have a feeling - #NoMore. #BeFierceBook https://t.co/1hXDEXrC8E

— Gretchen Carlson (@GretchenCarlson) October 9, 2017

I applaud all women for speaking up. It’s scary to be the first one to speak out against something or someone. But you’re not solo for long

— Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) October 9, 2017

Always & Forever https://t.co/wsxRZmM9pm

— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) October 9, 2017

Yes. Im sick of the media demanding only women speak up. What about the men? Perhaps many are afraid to look at their own behavior..... https://t.co/tGUsjUYNMR

— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) October 9, 2017

If there is a way to cure yourself of being a predator than I hope harvey learns what it is & shares it with the world. It's an epidemic.

— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) October 9, 2017