Weinstein vs. NYT: Fallout Ignited in Legal Battle between Actors

NEW YORK — Harvey Weinstein is drawing parallels between his own legal struggles and the ongoing legal battle involving actors Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. The imprisoned Hollywood producer criticized The New York Times for its alleged misrepresentation of facts in both cases.

In a statement to TMZ, Weinstein expressed his concerns about the New York Times’ involvement in the high-profile conflict. He stated, “Watching Justin Baldoni take legal action against The New York Times and its reporters — accusing them of manipulating communications and ignoring evidence that countered Ms. Lively’s claims — hit me hard.” He emphasized that he feels a shared experience with Baldoni regarding the Times’ reporting methods.

The legal dispute stems from the film “It Ends With Us,” which starred Lively and was directed by Baldoni. Lively has alleged sexual harassment against Baldoni, while Baldoni claims that Lively and her husband initiated a smear campaign against him. Both parties have filed lawsuits against each other, igniting a public controversy.

Weinstein’s statement included sharp criticism of the New York Times, claiming that they “cherry-picked” details and altered key communications to mislead readers. This mirrors accusations that Baldoni has made against the newspaper.

The former film mogul recounted his own experience with the Times during the #MeToo movement in 2017, stating, “They did the same thing: cherry-picked what fit their story and ignored critical context and facts that could have challenged the narrative.” Weinstein, who is currently serving a prison sentence for rape and sexual assault, said the treatment he received still haunts him.

In light of the unfolding drama, Weinstein remarked, “I should have stood up and fought back then. I should have had the courage to speak out against the way the truth was twisted.” He added that he will closely monitor the case as it holds significance for anyone who has faced media scrutiny and its consequences.

Weinstein is currently incarcerated on Rikers Island, awaiting retrial for his earlier convictions after he won an appeal, which led the Manhattan District Attorney to refile the case against him.

The Times has yet to comment on Weinstein’s statements. The publication has maintained that its investigation into Weinstein’s history was thoroughly reported and based on numerous on-the-record interviews and documents. A spokesperson stated, “None of the facts in our coverage are in dispute.”

Interestingly, Megan Twohey, a journalist who reported extensively on Weinstein’s crimes, also contributed to the Times’ story regarding Baldoni and Lively. While Weinstein has made his criticisms clear, he emphasized that he does not take sides in the Baldoni-Lively matter as he is not familiar with the specific facts. However, he expressed that he has always had positive interactions with both Blake and Ryan Reynolds.