Lena Dunham says she warned the Hillary Clinton campaign about Harvey Weinstein

“I just want you to let you know that Harvey’s a rapist and this is going to come out at some point."
 By 
Shannon Connellan
 on 
Lena Dunham says she warned the Hillary Clinton campaign about Harvey Weinstein
Lena Dunham speaks to a crowd at a Hillary Clinton campaign office on January 8, 2016 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Credit: Scott Eisen/Getty Images

“I just want you to let you know that Harvey’s a rapist and this is going to come out at some point."

That's what Lena Dunham says she told the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign about Harvey Weinstein, reports the latest New York Times piece on the disgraced producer, who is facing sexual assault and harassment accusations from over 100 women.

The piece, titled "Weinstein’s Complicity Machine," unpacks his "enablers, silencers and spies," recruited to warn potential accusers against speaking out, and his courtship of those in power (especially in politics) to increase his influence.

Mashable Image
Then Secretary of State Clinton and Weinstein attend the TIME 100 Gala, TIME'S 100 Most Influential People In The World, cocktail party at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 24, 2012 in New York City. Credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for TIME

According to the Times, during the 2016 presidential race, Girls writer and actor Dunham was one of two women — magazine editor Tina Brown was the other — who reportedly warned Clinton aides about Weinstein's behaviour, but no action was taken.

Dunham was apparently "troubled" by Weinstein's presence at Clinton presidential campaign events.

She had heard stories, both directly and secondhand from other actresses, about disturbing encounters with him, she said. So in March last year, Ms. Dunham, a vocal Clinton supporter, said she warned the campaign.

In the Times interview, Dunham says she approached Clinton's team point blank — not Clinton herself, though — with a strong warning to an apparently "surprised" Kristina Schake, deputy communications director for the Clinton campaign.

“I just want you to let you know that Harvey’s a rapist and this is going to come out at some point,” Ms. Dunham said she told Kristina Schake, the campaign’s deputy communications director. She recalled adding, “I think it’s a really bad idea for him to host fund-raisers and be involved because it’s an open secret in Hollywood that he has a problem with sexual assault.”

Dunham also says she warned Adrienne Elrod, a spokeswoman for Clinton who associated with celebrities during the campaign. Both Schake and Elrod "denied that Ms. Dunham had mentioned rape" at all, while Dunham told the Times she believes Clinton never received any of her warnings from the campaign team.

Dunham, of course, has recently faced some complicated backlash after defending a Girls writer accused of sexual assault.

But she wouldn't be the only one who warned people about Weinstein.

A photo portrait of a journalist with blonde hair and a band t-shirt.
Shannon Connellan
UK Editor

Shannon Connellan is Mashable's UK Editor based in London, formerly Mashable's Australia Editor, but emotionally, she lives in the Creel House. A Tomatometer-approved critic, Shannon writes about entertainment, tech, social good, science, culture, and Australian horror.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You

Apple expects high demand from its March 4 releases
apple logo over a smartphone with black background

The internet is worried about Punch the monkey. The zoo says he's OK.
A 7 month-old male macaque monkey named Punch, who was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth, spending time with a stuffed orangutan toy


Verizon outage may have impacted 911 calls
The Verizon logo on a building.

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 2, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!