USA TODAY International Edition
White House reporter suspended by NYT after sex accusations
Glenn Thrush treated for substance abuse
“I have done things that I am ashamed of, actions that have brought great hurt to my family and friends.”
Glenn Thrush
The New York Times suspended White House reporter Glenn Thrush on Monday after Vox reported that several young women had accused Thrush of sexually inappropriate behavior.
Thrush joined the Times in January after nearly a decade as a reporter at Politico, a Washington political news outlet. He was well-known enough to be caricatured in Saturday Night Live sketches this year lampooning White House spokesman Sean Spicer.
The Vox story said Thrush, who is married, engaged in drunken, sexually charged evenings with young female coworkers.
The author of the article, Laura McGann, a former Politico editor, said that Thrush came on to her at a bar and that she had to extricate herself from him. McGann said she believes he later disparaged her to their newsroom colleagues.
“The behavior attributed to Glenn in this Vox story is very concerning and not in keeping with the standards and values of The New York Times,” the newspaper said in a statement. “We intend to fully investigate, and while we do, Glenn will be suspended.”
The Times said Thrush would enter a substance abuse program.
Thrush told Vox, “Over the past several years, I have responded to a succession of personal and health crises by drinking heavily. During that period, I have done things that I am ashamed of, actions that have brought great hurt to my family and friends.”
He said, “I have not taken a drink since June 15, 2017, have resumed counseling and will soon begin outpatient treatment for alcoholism. I am working hard to repair the damage I have done.”