Film

Matt Damon Says He Should Stop Talking About Sexual Assault And Yeah, Duh

For once we agree with Matt Damon.

by Tom Clift  17 January 2018
Matt Damon Time's Up

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Matt Damon has apologised for making a number of insensitive comments about sexual misconduct, admitting that he should have “listened a lot more” and that he needs to “close [his] mouth for a while”.

For the first time in a long time, I actually agree with Matt Damon.

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The actor came under fire at the end of last year for remarks he made about the tidal wave of abuse allegations that have swept through the entertainment industry in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. During a TV interview with film critic Peter Travers, Damon insisted there was “a spectrum” of inappropriate behaviour before coming to the defence of alleged abuser Louis C.K. Then came the interview with Business Insider, in which he asked why people weren’t talking about all the men who aren’t sexual predators.

Thankfully it seems as though Damon has finally figured out what he’s been doing wrong. Asked about his comments during an interview on US morning show Today, the actor expressed regret and said that “I really wish I’d listened a lot more before I weighed in on this.”

“I don’t want to further anybody’s pain with anything that I do or say,” Damon told interviewer Kathie Lee Gifford. “So for that I’m really sorry.”

Of the Time’s Up movement Damon said that “a lot of those women are my dear friends and I love them and respect them and support what they’re doing and want to be a part of that change and want to go along for that ride — but I should get in the backseat and close my mouth for a while.”

Better late than never, I guess!

You can hear Damon’s latest remarks in the interview below.