Oprah Must Release Tape of Trump Labor Nominee’s Ex-Wife Detailing Domestic Violence Allegations
Footage Has Been Shown to Senators from Both Parties in Private, Tape Not Yet Released to Public
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Allied Progress called on Oprah Winfrey, Harpo Productions, and the Oprah Winfrey Network to release a tape featuring the former wife of President Trump’s Labor Secretary nominee Andy Puzder detailing domestic violence allegations against him.
The request follows reports that Senators have already reviewed the tape in private. As the Washington Post reported yesterday, that Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has “reviewed footage” of “Puzder’s ex-wife, who once appeared in disguise on the program to discuss the multiple times she says that Puzder physically assaulted her in the 1980s.” Similarly, Politico reported that “Senators in both parties” have viewed the tape.
“For the good of our country and to assure an open and deliberative confirmation process, Oprah Winfrey must release this tape that only Senators have been allowed to view in private since its existence was first publicized on last month. Time is of the essence. Mr. Puzder’s confirmation hearing is slated to begin on Thursday. Ms. Winfrey owes it to the American people to release this footage today,” said Karl Frisch, executive director of Allied Progress.
He continued, “If confirmed as Labor Secretary, Andy Puzder will be responsible for establishing and enforcing labor policies that will either protect or abandon hard-working men and women in every workplace. Given the explosive nature of these domestic violence allegations and the epidemic of sexual harassment and assault that his female employees have faced, it is extremely important that we have a completely transparent confirmation process where no stone is left unturned.”
A Missouri court today is considering a motion filed to unseal Puzder’s divorce records from this marriage. These records were publicly available for decades, but were promptly sealed the day after Trump nominated Puzder for Labor Secretary.
To speak with Karl Frisch about Puzder’s nomination please contact Jon Reinish at 202-999-0461 or JReinish@SKDKnick.com.
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Allied Progress is a nationwide, progressive advocacy organization that uses hard-hitting research and creative campaigns to hold Wall Street and powerful special interests accountable. Since launching in 2015, the organization has led high-profile campaigns on several issues including reforming the payday lending industry and exposing the those working to cripple the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).