Matt Lauer released a statement Thursday morning on the TODAY Show, a day after it was announced he was fired by NBC News for sexual misconduct.
Here is his statement:
A statement from Matt Lauer: “There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions...” pic.twitter.com/f93rHXqKQD
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 30, 2017
Lauer apologized for any words or actions which may have hurt anyone, but said some of what is being said about him is "untrue or mischaracterized."
"There are now words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC," Lauer's statement reads. "Some of what is being about is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly. Repairing the damage will take a lot of time and soul searching and I'm committed to beginning that effort. It is now my full time job. They last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws. It's been humbling. I am blessed to be surrounded by people I love. I thank them for their patience and grace."
On Wednesday morning, TODAY Show hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb broke the news about Lauer's firing. They read a statement from NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack:
"Dear colleagues, on Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer. It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company's standards. As a result, we've decided to terminate his employment. While its is the first complaint about his behavior in the over 20 years he's been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident."
Lack said it was the first complaint lodged against Lauer, 59, for his behavior since he took over as anchor of the show in 1997, but there was "reason to believe" it wasn't an isolated incident.
Lauer's firing comes a week after CBS News fired morning anchor Charlie Rose amid reports of sexual misconduct.