'New York Times' suspends star reporter Glenn Thrush after sexual misconduct allegations

USA TODAY

The New York Times suspended star White House reporter Glenn Thrush on Monday after Vox reported that several young women had accused Thrush of sexually inappropriate behavior.

Thrush joined the Times in January after nearly a decade as one of the star reporters at Politico, an influential Washington political news outlet. He was well-enough known to be caricatured in the Saturday Night Live sketches earlier this year lampooning former White House press secretary Sean Spicer.

The Vox story said that Thrush, who is married, on several occasions engaged in drunken, sexually-charged evenings with young women he worked with. The author of the article, Laura McGann, a former Politico editor, said Thrush came on to her at a bar and she had to extricate herself from him. McGann said she believes he later disparaged her to their newsroom colleagues.

“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,” The Times said in a statement. “We intend to fully investigate and while we do, Glenn will be suspended.”

The Times also said Thrush would enter a substance abuse program.

Thrush told Vox, "Over the past several years, I have responded to a succession of personal and health crises by drinking heavily. During that period, I have done things that I am ashamed of, actions that have brought great hurt to my family and friends."

He said "I have not taken a drink since June 15, 2017, have resumed counseling and will soon begin out-patient treatment for alcoholism. I am working hard to repair the damage I have done."