Lincoln Project leaders ‘disgusted and outraged’ after 21 men accused co-founder of sexual harassment

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Lincoln Project, the prominent anti-Trump group of Republicans known for its biting political ads, said on Sunday they were “disgusted and outraged” that John Weaver, one of their co-founders, had allegedly sexually harassed numerous men online. We extend our deepest sympathies to those who were targeted by his deplorable and predatory behavior.” The New York Times reported that Weaver, a prominent “Never Trump” Republican who previously advised GOP heavyweights like John McCain and John Kasich, sent unwanted, sexually suggestive messages to more than 20 men online, sometimes with offers of employment or political advancement. Some allegations against Weaver went public earlier this month in an article in The American Conservative, in which it was claimed that Weaver was “grooming young men" by sending supportive messages that veered into unwanted sexual territory. Steve Schmidt, another co-founder, told the Times the group’s leaders were aware their colleague might be in relationships with men, which Weaver denied at the time, but didn’t know they were inappropriate.