Is John Weaver gay? Trump critic admits sending 'inappropriate messages' as he leaves Lincoln Project
John Weaver, one of the co-founders of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, has released a statement wherein he comes out as gay, and admits to sending "inappropriate messages" to men despite the fact that he's been married to a woman for several years, raising two children together. The letter comes out at around the same time that several men have come forward to share DMs that were sent to them by Weaver, containing sexual messages and promises of employment. "To the men I made uncomfortable through my messages that I viewed as consensual mutual conversations at the time: I am truly sorry," wrote Weaver, in a letter obtained by Axios. "They were inappropriate and it was because of my failings that this discomfort was brought on you." He continues, "The truth is that I'm gay. And that I have a wife and two kids who I love. My inability to reconcile those two truths has led to this agonizing place."
Several men during the past week have publicly declared that the longtime Republican aide sent them unsolicited, sexually suggestive messages, coupled with a promise of employment, or advancements in their political careers. "For too long I have tried to live a life that wasn't completely true, where I cleaved off an important part of myself in order to maintain what I thought was happiness and normalcy in the other part," Weaver begins, in his letter. "I was lying [to] myself, to my family who gave me nothing but unconditional love, and to others, causing a great deal of pain to all."
He apologizes to his family several times in the statement. He also states that he will not be returning to the Lincoln Project after his medical leave of absence. He also uses the letter to publicly deny any allegations made against him outside of the revealed messages, calling them "other smears being leveled at me by Donald Trump's enablers as a way to get back at the Lincoln Project for our principled stand for democracy."
Some Twitter users are comparing the coming out to Kevin Spacey and Don Lemon, who also revealed they were gay amidst a sea of controversy. "If Kevin Spacey and Don Lemon can get away with it, guess these creeps figured they could too. So disgusting," wrote one user.
If Kevin Spacey and Don Lemon can get away with it, guess these creeps figured they could too. So disgusting.
— RMB (@rms432) January 17, 2021
Many others have harsh words for John Weaver for having been a sexual predator. "It is so gratifying that all this news on John Weaver is coming out. For months young men have come to me about accusations on John Weaver being a predator and MANY prominent people knowing.... No one wanted to be the first, but the damn is broken," wrote one user. "John Weaver, founder of the anti-Trump “Lincoln Project” superpac, preyed on economically vulnerable young men by offering them jobs in exchange for sex. He is a sick predator and should never be in a position of power ever again. My prayers are with his victims and his wife," wroter another one.
It is so gratifying that all this news on John Weaver is coming out. For months young men have come to me about accusations on John Weaver being a predator and MANY prominent people knowing.... No one wanted to be the first, but the damn is broken.
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) January 10, 2021
John Weaver, founder of the anti-Trump “Lincoln Project” superpac, preyed on economically vulnerable young men by offering them jobs in exchange for sex. He is a sick predator and should never be in a position of power ever again. My prayers are with his victims and his wife.
— Dr. Benjamin Braddock (@GraduatedBen) January 10, 2021
The Lincoln Project has so far not released a statement on Weaver's letter.