Former staff members of Steven Crowder’s show Louder with Crowder have come forward with troubling accusations of sexual misconduct and workplace harassment against the far-right media personality. Speaking anonymously due to fear of retaliation, five former employees detailed instances of bullying, erratic behavior, and rampant drug use, but the most disturbing allegations revolved around sexual harassment.
According to reports by Mediaite, Crowder is accused of sending unsolicited explicit photos of his genitals to co-workers via text messages. Moreover, he allegedly exposed himself to employees in person with disturbing frequency, eliciting uncomfortable reactions from those subjected to this behavior. One person stated, “The more disgusted everyone seemed, the more pleasure he seemed to get from it. It’s like he couldn’t understand that we weren’t in on his ‘joke.’”
This isn’t the first time Steven Crowder has faced such accusations. Earlier this year, home surveillance footage surfaced, showing Crowder berating his wife abusively, and staffers reported that he had exposed himself in the workplace. Some former employees now reflect on the behavior, acknowledging that it felt “groomer-ish” in retrospect, mirroring the language he used in a past tweet targeting certain teachers.
Psychology experts have pointed out the phenomenon of defensive projection, where individuals project their unacceptable urges onto others. Some LGBTQ+ supporters have noted the irony in Crowder’s past accusations against others, considering the allegations now being made against him.
Additionally, right-wing extremists and mainstream Republicans have wrongly used the “groomer” smear to target members of the LGBTQ+ community, including drag queens, teachers, and transgender individuals, perpetuating conspiracy theories about “grooming” kids for exploitation. The false conspiracy theory promoted by groups like Moms for Liberty adds to the harmful narrative.
Former staff members clarified that Crowder’s actions were predominantly directed towards male employees and occurred frequently during periods of elevated moods. Despite feeling disgusted and unwelcome, they preferred it over his behavior when in a bad mood, which was characterized by mistreatment of people.
These allegations raise significant concerns about workplace safety and the need for accountability in media personalities. As the accusations continue to emerge, it remains essential to address such issues and ensure a safe and respectful work environment for all.