Katie Couric Opens Up About Matt Lauer Scandal: What She Really Thinks

When Matt Lauer was suddenly let go from the Today show in late November due to sexual harassment allegations, it sent shockwaves through the media world. Many were caught off guard, including his former co-anchor, Katie Couric. For the first time since Matt's abrupt exit, Katie has shared her candid thoughts on the scandal, revealing just how deeply it affected her.

Katie Couric Opens Up About the Painful Fallout

“The entire situation has been incredibly difficult for me to process,” Katie, now 61, revealed in a heartfelt interview with People. “The stories I’ve read and heard have been truly unsettling. It’s deeply troubling to learn that any woman at the Today show faced such inappropriate treatment. No one should ever have to endure that kind of behavior in the workplace.”

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Co-Anchor Dynamics: What Katie Knew

Katie and Matt shared the screen as co-anchors from 1997 until her departure in 2006. Though they worked side by side for nearly a decade, Katie was blindsided by the allegations that surfaced against Matt. “I had absolutely no clue this was happening during my time there—or even after I left,” she admitted candidly. “To be honest, this isn’t the Matt I knew. He was always kind, supportive, and respectful toward me. In fact, I once joked about him on late-night TV because it was so out of character for our relationship. It’s still hard to wrap my head around all of this.”

She went on to praise the current anchors of the Today show, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, for their grace under pressure. “I truly admire how they’ve handled such a challenging situation. They’ve shown incredible strength and professionalism during a tough time for the entire team.”

Katie’s First Real Comments on the Matter

This marks the first time Katie has fully opened up about the scandal, though she did briefly address it in early December when an aggressive Instagram user demanded her opinion. “It’s devastating, and I’ll share more when I’m ready,” she wrote at the time. “Thank you for your interest.”

Supporting the #TimesUp Movement

Katie didn’t disclose whether she remains in contact with Matt, but she is a vocal advocate for the #TimesUp movement, which aims to combat sexual harassment across industries. “It was powerful to see so many women stand together and demand change—not just for themselves, but for women everywhere who’ve been marginalized or mistreated,” she expressed. “We’re witnessing a cultural shift that’s long overdue, and it’s inspiring to see people finally being held accountable for their actions.”

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