‘Today’ hosts: New Lauer allegations shocking, appalling

“Today” hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb called sexual assault allegations against their former colleague Matt Lauer “shocking and appalling” during the show’s Wednesday morning broadcast.

On Tuesday, news broke that Ronan Farrow’s new book, “Catch and Kill,” includes an interview with Brooke Nevils, a former NBC News employee whose complaint about Lauer led to the co-anchor’s firing from the “Today” show in 2017. Nevils now alleges that Lauer raped her in his hotel room at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

“They are not allegations of an affair,” Kotb told viewers. “They are allegations of a crime.”

Guthrie expressed her concern for Nevils, adding, “We support her and any women who come forward with claims. And it is just very painful. For all of us at NBC ... it is very, very difficult.”

In a separate statement, NBC News said, “Matt Lauer’s conduct was appalling, horrific and reprehensible, as we said at the time. That’s why he was fired within 24 hours of us first learning of the complaint. Our hearts break again for our colleague.”

Kotb noted that the new allegations shook her deeply because she had worked with Lauer for 12 years.

“You feel like you know someone for 12 years, you feel like you know them inside and out, and all of the sudden a door opens up and it is a part of them you didn’t know,” she said.

Lauer has responded to the allegations in an open letter in which he admits to an affair with Nevils, but claims it was consensual.

“I had an extramarital affair with Brooke Nevils in 2014,” Lauer wrote. “The story Brooke tells is filled with false details intended only to create the impression this was an abusive encounter. Nothing could be further from the truth. ... She was a fully enthusiastic and willing partner. At no time did she behave in a way that made it appear she was incapable of consent.”