Television personality and "Morning Joe" guest Donny Deutsch said Friday that nobody in the industry is surprised by the sexual harassment allegations directed at Hollywood executive and Democratic donor Harvey Weinstein.
On MSNBC's "Morning Joe," New York Times political correspondent Nick Confessore went over the Times story released Thursday, which revealed the accusations against Weinstein. Deutsch commented that it was no surprise to him or to many others.
"I've known Harvey for years. It's a sad story," Deutsch said. "These stories have been legend in Hollywood for years. Anyone in the business is not surprised."
Deutsch did not comment specifically on why, if so many people knew about Weinstein's conduct for so long, no action had been taken. He did, however, allude that the "time" in which Weinstein came up may have contributed to his behavior.
"One of Harvey's defenses – I mean, it speaks for itself – is that he grew up in the '70s and the '80s, and this was behavior [that was] status quo, which I'm not going to comment on. But I do think there is a sea change happening."
CNN's Jake Tapper spoke to a Hollywood producer who reflected this sentiment. Tapper tweeted the producer said: "Socked it's taken so long for Harvey Weinstein behavior expose. One of the most open secrets in Hollywood"
Hollywood producer I know: "Shocked it’s taken so long for a Harvey Weinstein behavior expose. One of the most open secrets in Hollywood."
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) October 5, 2017
Weinstein is a major Democratic Party donor who was close to both the Clintons and the Obamas. He appeared on "Morning Joe" last year to talk about why he was supporting Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, and ultimately, has donated nearly $600,000 to Democratic campaigns and committees since the early 2000s.
The Weinstein Co. co-founder announced this week he will take a leave of absence from his company.