Democratic senators started handing back the fortune Harvey Weinstein has donated and helped raise on Friday as his ex shame was revealed.
But Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, the biggest recipients of his support and generosity, remained silent over whether they would do the same.
Weinstein is one of the Democratic Party’s most prolific donors, having raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama’s campaigns alone.
But the movie producer was rapidly becoming persona non grata after he took a leave of absence from Miramax when it surfaced on Thursday that he had been accused of sexually harassing multiple women over the past two decades.
On Friday morning five liberal senators handed personal donations Weinstein had made to charity.
Patrick Leahy, the Vermont senator, was first out of the gate, giving $2,700 to charity.
Bundler: Harvey Weinstein was a huge Hillary Clinton backer, hosting New York fundraisers and maxing out his own donations to her campaign
Alliance: The film mogul was one of Obama’s top 40 ‘bundlers’ during his 2012 re-election, bringing in $679,275 for the candidate
Laughing liberal lion: Weinstein looked remarkably chipper and cheerful for an admitted sexual harasser as he left his home on Friday
He was followed by Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Christine Gillbrand, of New York and Corey Booker of New Jersey.
At least three of them – Warren, Booker and Gillbrand – are seen as having presidential ambitions.
Their moves leave Clinton and Obama open to mounting embarrassment and for the 2016 presidential loser, allegations of hypocrisy.
Weinstein has held numerous star-studded campaign events to bring in Hollywood money for Clinton and Obama since 2008, and poured money into Democratic senate and congressional campaigns.
He was one of Obama’s top 40 ‘bundlers’ during his 2012 re-election, bringing in $679,275 for the candidate – and putting him in the same category as DreamWorks founder Jeffrey Katzenberg and former Warner Bros. chairman Barry Meyer.
Weinstein also maxed out his personal contributions to Clinton with a $5,400 check to her 2016 campaign and $30,000 to her Hillary Victory Fund.
Since 2003, he has donated over $250,000 to the Democratic National Committee, which supports the election of the Democratic presidential nominee.
Weinstein gave another $250,000 to the Clinton Foundation and held multiple fundraising dinners for Hillary Clinton, who campaigned as a champion of women during her 2016 presidential run.
That total alone comes to more than $1.2 million – but that was the tip of the iceberg, as his ability to get A-listers and Hollywood’s behind the scenes millionaires to come to parties made him a key part of the Democratic fundraising machine.
Clinton often spoke up against sexual assault during the election, even as opponents noted that multiple sexual harassment allegations were lodged against her husband, Bill Clinton, in the 1990s.
Ally: Malia Obama was an intern with Weinstein in a sign of how close he was to both Barack and Michelle Obama
‘Every survivor of sexual assault deserves to be heard, believed, and supported,’ said Clinton on Twitter on Nov. 22, 2015.
She also highlighted inappropriate sexual comments made by her opponent, Donald Trump, as a reason he could not be trusted as president.
Clinton has continued to speak out against what she characterizes as Trump’s sexism during her recent book tour.
‘When I see women [supporting Trump], I think why are they publicly disrespecting themselves? Why are they opening the door to have someone say that about them in their workplace? In a community setting? Do they not see the connection there?’ said Clinton.
But the latest allegations against Weinstein – which include claims that he asked female subordinates and actresses to watch him shower and gave unwanted massages – raises uncomfortable questions for Clinton and other Democrats about one of their top supporters.
The New York Times reported on Thursday that Weinstein has reached legal settlements with at least eight women over alleged inappropriate sexual behaviour.
In one case, actress Ashley Judd accused the movie mogul of inviting her to watch him shower during a business meeting in a hotel room in the 1990s.
Several of Weinstein’s female employees have allegedly accused him of making unwanted advances on them or other women over the past few decades.
Weinstein was an early supporter of Clinton, backing her in her primary bid against Obama in 2008.
Have it back: Elizabeth Warren is giving the donation she received from Weinstein to charity in the first sign of Democrats turning on the mogul over his sexual harassment settlements
He was so vehement in his support of the former New York senator that he reportedly threatened to cut off donations to then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi if she did not support a re-vote to help Clinton during her contentious primary battle against Obama.
But Weinstein eventually came around and supported Obama during his 2012 re-election.
He was rewarded with at least 13 invitations to the White House during Obama’s tenure.
Shortly after Obama’s second election, Weinstein threw a fundraiser for the president at his home in the West Village – with tickets running as high as $32,400 a plate.
Guests included Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel. Obama praised Weinstein’s ‘incredible hospitality’ during his speech.
‘We are so grateful for [the Weinsteins’] friendship and support, and for the amazing movies that they’ve made,’ said Obama.
That friendship has apparently continued after Obama left office. The president’s oldest daughter, Malia Obama, interned with Weinstein’s company earlier this year.
Weinstein continued to host of fundraising dinners at his home during Clinton’s second presidential run in 2016.
Guests who paid thousands to mingle with Clinton at Weinstein’s parties included Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick and Anna Wintour.
Weinstein expressed regret on Thursday for the ‘the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past’ and said he has ’caused a lot of pain.’ He said his behaviour was related to an outdated mindset of how to act in the workplace. He said he hired celebrity attorney Lisa Bloom to teach him how to interact more appropriately with women.