Already on the defensive over a claim that he knew Harvey Weinstein allegedly sexually harassed women but didn’t do anything to stop it, Ben Affleck is now being accused of groping the former host of MTV’s “Total Request Live,” leading Affleck to apologize on Wednesday.
After someone on Twitter alleged that Affleck had groped “TRL” host Hilarie Burton in 2003 but “everyone forgot,” Burton quickly tweeted: “I didn’t forget.”
I didn't forget.
— Hilarie Burton (@HilarieBurton) October 10, 2017
The fan wrote back: “I’m so sorry that happened to you. It’s infuriating that people never bring up all the gross, predatory things he’s done.”
Burton replied: “Seriously, thank you for that. I was a kid.” She also posted a video clip from the show in which she talked about the incident. “He comes over and tweaks my left boob,” she says, apparently referring to Affleck.
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MTV TRL Uncensored Cold Open from steven beal on Vimeo.
In the same clip, which is an outtake from “TRL” episodes, Affleck is shown asking Burton: “How old are you — 19?”
A different clip on YouTube appears to show the incident, in which Burton says, “Some girls like a good tweakage here and there. I’d rather have a high five.”
Affleck apologized on Twitter Wednesday afternoon, saying that he “acted inappropriately.”
I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) October 11, 2017
In her tweet on Tuesday, Burton, who went on to appear on the show “One Tree Hill” and most recently on “Lethal Weapon,” wrote: “Girls. I’m so impressed with you brave ones. I had to laugh back then so I wouldn’t cry. Sending love.”
Despite issuing a statement Tuesday saying he was “saddened and angered” by the allegations against Weinstein, Affleck has found himself snared in the burgeoning scandal involving the movie mogul. Actress Rose McGowan has accused Affleck of lying about his knowledge of Weinstein’s alleged misconduct and assaults of women.
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Hours after Affleck issued his statement saying “I find myself asking what I can do to make sure this doesn’t happen to others,” McGowan tweeted at Affleck, alleging that he’d seemed aware of Weinstein’s mistreatment of women.
“ ‘ [EXPLETIVE]! I TOLD HIM TO STOP DOING THAT’ you said that to my face,” McGowan tweeted to Affleck. “The press conf I was made to go to after assault. You lie.”