Charlie Rose has been slammed by a Vogue writer as an ‘unmitigated douchebag’ who tried to stir up resentment between her and her boss.
Journalist Rebecca Johnson said that she encountered Rose while writing a piece about him for New Yorker magazine in 1999, just after she signed a contract with Vogue.
When the former This Morning host – who has now been accused by 16 women of sexual impropriety – found out that she was heading to the fashion magazine, however, she said, things got weird.
Fired This Morning presenter Charlie Rose (pictured), who is accused of sexual impropriety by 16 women, allegedly tried to get a journalist in trouble with her new boss in 1999
Rose reportedly told Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour (right; Janice Min also pictured) that journalist Rebecca Johnson didn’t like her, after Johnson had interviewed him
‘We spent several days together, and I really came to dislike him,’ Johnson said in her Facebook, according to Page Six.
‘I had just signed a contract with Vogue and he asked me if I liked [then-Vogue-Editor-in-Chief] Anna Wintour,’ she continued.
‘I replied that I didn’t “like” her or not. It wasn’t that kind of relationship. When he sensed my increasing coldness, he SO weirdly called me up and threatened to tell Anna I said I didn’t like her.’
She said she told Rose she was ‘stunned at how puerile he was’ and that she ‘told him to do whatever he needed to do’.
The next morning, she said, Wintour called her up.
‘She seemed as irritated by him as I was, but she had promised to make the call,’ Johnson said.
‘Most awkward phone conversation ever. Charlie Rose. Unmitigated douchebag. Now and forever.’
Rose, 75, told Page Six that the claims are ‘absolutely false’.
Rose was also accused by a CBS insider of interfering in Josh Elliott’s career, after the former online host said he would be doing more reporting in the field.
Rose reportedly also interfered in Josh Elliott’s career, getting him fired from CBS after Elliott announced he would be doing more long-form journalism
In February, Elliott announced that he would be doing more ‘long-form pieces’ and leaving his position as a CBSN morning show host.
That post came on a Friday; on the Monday afterward, CBS announced that it had dropped him – and that, the source said, was because of Rose and then-CBS Evening News host Scott Pelley,
‘Apparently Charlie and Scott were furious they weren’t consulted. It was viewed at CBS News as a more highbrow version of the Michael Strahan and Kelly Ripa debacle at ABC’s Live,’ said the source.
‘When they found out it became Sophie’s Choice for CBS News with network executives making their decision based on loyalty.
‘Do they keep Scott and Charlie happy or support Josh Elliott? They had no choice but to look after their marquee stars.’
The source added: ‘Pelley has been furious internally about reports that CBS wanted to move him off the evening news, and the staff of CBS This Morning were also livid that their beloved host Charlie was under threat, especially while he was on medical leave after having heart surgery.’
When asked for comment back in February, a CBS News spokesperson told DailyMail.com: ‘CBS News and Josh Elliott are parting ways. Josh will no longer be reporting for CBS News.
‘We are grateful for his contributions over the last year, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors.’
Rose is currently in the midst of an ongoing sexual harassment scandal, with 16 women claiming that he groped or spoke inappropriately to them, or exposed himself.
On Monday the Washington Post published the accounts of eight women who claim they were sexually harassed or assaulted by him. That was followed by additional allegations from eight other women.
On Tuesday he was fired from both CBS and PBS. CBS News president David Rhodes said in a memo to staffers that ‘there is absolutely nothing more important, in this or any organization, than ensuring a safe, professional workplace.’
Megan Crydt (left) said Rose grabbed her thigh during a car ride soon after she started; Kyle Godfrey-Ryan (right) said Rose walked around naked in front of her; 14 others made claims
CBS News President David Rhodes told staff ‘there is absolutely nothing more important… than ensuring a safe, professional workplace’ when he fired Rose on Monday after allegations
‘It is essential that these women know I hear them and that I deeply apologize for my inappropriate behavior,’ Rose said in a statement
‘CBS News has reported on extraordinary revelations at other media companies this year and last,’ he wrote.
‘Our credibility in that reporting requires credibility managing basic standards of behavior. That is why we have taken these actions.’
PBS quickly followed suit, stating: ‘In light of yesterday’s revelations, PBS has terminated its relationship with Charlie Rose and cancelled distribution of his programs.’
The network, which has aired Rose’s show since 1991, also noted: ‘PBS expects all the producers we work with to provide a workplace where people feel safe and are treated with dignity and respect.’