Matt Lauer reportedly feels he’s “owed an apology” almost seven years after he was axed by NBC for alleged inappropriate sexual behavior.
The disgraced former “Today” co-host — who made a rare appearance at Don Lemon’s wedding over the weekend — “wants to get back into the media,” sources told Us Weekly Tuesday.
“He’s started to talk to people,” the insider said. “He’s planning his next act, still very upset with how he was portrayed, and still feels like he was the victim.”
Matt Lauer is preparing to make a “comeback” almost seven years after he was fired by NBC. GC Images Lauer “still feels like he was the victim.” APExplore More
“He wants to be relevant again; what that is exactly is yet to be decided,” they added.
The source claimed the journalist, 66, feels that “enough time has gone by” for him to return to the media industry — and he’s even expecting an apology for how he was ousted.
“He’s very thin skinned — don’t expect an apology, he’s the one who feels is owed an apology,” the insider quipped.
The former “Today” co-host was ousted after allegedly sexually harassing a colleague. WireImage He attended Don Lemon’s wedding over the weekend as part of a campaign to “test the waters” for his return to the spotlight, a source claimed. GC Images“He went from being the biggest guy out there, and now every headline [attached to him] is ‘disgraced;’ it’s very painful for him to go out there with his girlfriend,” they went on, referencing Shamin Abas, who Lauer began dating in 2019.
The notoriously private couple most recently attended Lemon’s wedding in New York City on Saturday as part of a campaign to “test the waters” by making public appearances.
“He’s not going off into the sunset,” the source said, adding that he was focused on “building the foundation for a comeback.”
He stepped out at the event with his girlfriend, Shamin Abas. GC Images The two began dating in 2019. BeautifulSignatureIG / MEGAThe TV personality, who was the highest-paid talent in television news at the time of his firing, allegedly sexually harassed a female staffer during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
News of his dismissal was relayed to longtime “Today” co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb on Nov. 29, 2017, when they were already en route to work.
“This is a sad morning at ‘Today’ and NBC News,” Guthrie said on-air. “As I’m sure you can understand, we are devastated. I’m heartbroken for Matt. He is my dear, dear friend and partner.”
The two have only made a handful of public appearances together. GC Images He split from his ex-wife, Annette Roque, in the wake of his scandal. Getty Images for The ApolloIn 2019, additional details about the alleged assault were published by Ronan Farrow in his book, “Catch and Kill.”
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In his response to the book, Lauer slammed the author for “flawed reporting and factual errors.”
Lauer was the highest-paid talent in television news at the time of his firing. Dan Jackman/WENN.com He previously denied the allegations made against him. REUTERS“I was shaken, but not surprised, that few in the media were willing to thoroughly challenge the accusations against me, or the person making them,” he said.
“The rush to judgment was swift. In fact, on the morning I was falsely accused of rape, and before I could even issue a statement, some journalists were already calling my accuser ‘brave’ and ‘courageous.’ While the presumption of innocence is only guaranteed in a court of law, I felt journalists should have, at the very least, recognized and considered it.”
In the wake of the scandal, he split from his wife of more than 20 years, Annette Roque. The former couple are parents to three children: Jack, 22, Romy, 20, and Thijs, 17.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
