Hillary Clinton's publicist reportedly expressed 'concern' to Ronan Farrow about his Harvey Weinstein investigation


Hillary Clinton's publicist reportedly expressed "concern" to Ronan Farrow about his investigation into Harvey Weinstein's alleged sexual abuse.
Farrow's new book Catch and Kill is packed with explosive allegations about his time investigating Weinstein, originally for NBC News and then for The New Yorker. Among them is that Farrow claims Weinstein "attempted to leverage his long-term relationship with Hillary Clinton to pressure" him, as The Hollywood Reporter writes based on an advance copy of the book.
According to the Reporter, Farrow in the book reports that in summer 2017, while he was attempting to secure an interview with Clinton for an unrelated book he was writing, he received a call from Nick Merrill, Clinton's publicist. Merrill reportedly told Farrow the "big story" he was working on, that being the Weinstein investigation, was a "concern for us." Farrow in the book also says that in September 2017, the month before he would publish his New Yorker piece in which numerous women accuse the film producer of sexual harassment or assault, Weinstein proposed a docuseries on Clinton to NBC News International President Deborah Turness, who told him it "sounds absolutely stunning."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Merrill tweeted Wednesday he had "already rejected" a Weinstein Company documentary about the 2016 election before speaking with Farrow and that he has "no idea what Weinstein was saying to people to save himself." Clinton condemned Weinstein, a Democratic donor, after the allegations against him emerged in 2017, saying in a statement, "The behavior described by women coming forward cannot be tolerated."
This wasn't the only way Weinstein allegedly attempted to kill the investigation, with Farrow also reporting that Weinstein put pressure on NBC to spike the story by making it "known to the network that he was aware of [Matt] Lauer's behavior and capable of revealing it." NBC News ultimately did not run Farrow's story, with NBC News Chair Andy Lack saying in 2018 it was not "yet fit to broadcast."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Brooklyn vs. the Beckhams: trouble in paradise
In the Spotlight Scion of the Beckham clan and billionaire heiress wife Nicola Peltz staged an elaborate vow renewal – and none of his family were on the guest list
-
August 21 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Thursday's political cartoons include AI-driven water shortages, Sharpie-corrected slavery, and airstrikes on Washington, D.C.
-
Alien: Earth – a 'bold' prequel to the space horror classic
The Week Recommends Set two years before Alien, new Disney show pays 'homage' to the original
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutional
Speed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for rifles
Speed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago
-
Trump taps Missouri AG to help lead FBI
Speed Read Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has been appointed FBI co-deputy director, alongside Dan Bongino
-
Trump warms to Kyiv security deal in summit
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Trump's support for guaranteeing his country's security 'a major step forward'
-
DC protests as Trump deployment ramps up
Speed Read Trump's 'crusade against crime' is targeting immigrants and the homeless
-
Ukraine, European leaders to meet Trump after Putin talks
Speed Read Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week
-
Border agents crash Newsom redistricting kickoff
Speed Read Armed federal Border Patrol agents amassed outside the venue where the California governor and other Democratic leaders were gathered
-
Man charged for hoagie attack as DC fights takeover
Speed Read The Trump administration filed felony charges against a man who threw a Subway sandwich at a federal agent