The New York Times White House correspondent Glenn Thrush has always touted being an ally to women, but his behavior shows otherwise, says a new exclusive in Vox.
Three young women told Vox about a range of experiences with the journalist, “from unwanted groping and kissing to wet kisses out of nowhere to hazy sexual encounters that played out under the influence of alcohol.” Each women left the situations feeling “scared, violated, ashamed, weirded out, angry.”
All three women were in their 20s at the time, Vox reports, and were relatively early in their careers compared to Thrush, who is a well-known seasoned journalist and a good connection for anyone entering the field. He would make advances during an event with alcohol, but would always try to stay on good terms with him despite their feelings.
Vox interviewed 40 people in and around media who know Thrush. The interviews painted a picture of a man, who just because of his stature and power, put women in a position of feeling like they had to move on from any uncomfortable encounters.
Laura McGann, the writer of the Vox article, had her own encounter with Thrush five years ago when they were both working at Politico. They went out drinking with colleagues, and when everyone else left, Thrush allegedly slid into her side of the booth and block her in. He put his hand on her thigh and started kissing her. McGann was able to shove her way out, she writes. The next morning, Thrush sent an apologetic email.
Thrush also has a reputation as a talker — he likes to spread gossip, McGann writes. McGann learned over the course of reporting this story that Thrush had told people at Politico about the incident, but with the roles reversed: He said McGann came on to him and he had shut it down. The same source told McGann that Thrush frequently talked about his nights of drinking with young, attractive journalists and in the stories, he was the grown-up who made sure nothing happened.
Thrush is on hiatus pending a Times investigation that was sparked by McGann’s reporting for this story.
“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,” said Eileen Murphy, the senior vice president of communications for the New York Times, in a written statement, according to Vox. “We intend to fully investigate and while we do, Glenn will be suspended. We support his decision to enter a substance abuse program. In the meantime, we will not be commenting further.”
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