Tony Robbins mansplains #MeToo movement to sexual abuse survivor

  • 08/04/2018

Famed motivational speaker Tony Robbins has claimed women are using the #MeToo movement as a "drug" to "try to get significance".

The #MeToo movement arose after thousands of women - and some men - took to social media to share their stories of sexual harassment and assault, in response to allegations against Harvey Weinstein.

During a seminar in San Jose, California last month, Robbins heavily criticised the movement.

After his comments he was confronted by audience member and sexual abuse survivor Nanine McCool, who said he was mischaracterising the movement.

"Certainly there are people who are using it for their own personal devices, but there are also a significant number of people who are using it - not to relive whatever may have happened to them - but to make it safe for young women, so that they don't have to feel unsafe."

Robbins went on to insist he knew best.

"My life is about helping people make choices so I've read thousands, have you read thousands?"

He then addressed the crowd, saying he wasn't "knocking the #MeToo movement" but "knocking victimhood". He also stated that "anger is not empowerment."

"Who should throw the stone? You shouldn't throw that stone if you live in a f**king glass house.

"Is there any one of us that hasn't done something that we prefer we'd not or that we're embarrassed by or that was hurtful even if we didn't intend it to?"

Robbins eventually brought McCool into the aisle and asked her to hold out her fist. He then pushed against her with his fist, and she was forced backwards.

"When you push someone else it doesn't make you more safe - it just makes them angry," he said.

Footage of the exchange has been widely shared online.

Newshub.