Skip to main content

Kathie Lee Gifford Talks Forgiveness, Prays for God's Healing Amid Lauer Scandal

CBN

Share This article

New details continue to emerge in the sex assault scandal that forced NBC News to terminate Today show host Matt Lauer. And Lauer issued a formal apology Thursday.

Even before the apology, his longtime colleague Kathie Lee Gifford offered forgiveness.

During the last hour of Wednesday's Today, Gifford shared that she was still "grappling" with the allegations and Lauer's dismissal.

Gifford extended heartfelt support for the woman who is accusing Lauer of sexual misconduct, saying, "I send out my love to the person who came forward. May God heal that person." 

She also showed support for Lauer and his family.

Kathie Lee compared the feelings to how she felt in 1997 when news broke that her husband, Frank Gifford, had cheated on her.

"I don't feel that Matt has betrayed us," Gifford said. 

"When I found out my husband had betrayed me, you question your own judgment. 'Was everything a lie?'  I think we have to fight against that."

Frank Gifford died in 2015.

Kathie Lee recalled, "There was a wonderful man who was an adviser to me and Frank through my lifetime and I was upset and hurt, like I'm sure Matt's family is," she said. "He said, 'If you can't forgive your husband, forgive your children's father.' The same person, that's the one you love."

Kathie Lee also shared that she had reached out to Lauer, not long after hearing the news of his termination Wednesday.

She said, "I texted him this morning and I said, 'I adore you.' No one is perfect in this world. (What) we need now is forgiveness and mercy for one another."

Lauer's Thursday morning apology suggests he is looking for that forgiveness and mercy.
 
"There are no 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 said in a statement.  

"Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed," Lauer said. 

"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."

Share This article