Matt Lauer Update: Why Anchor Hasn’t Been Abandoned By ‘Today’ Show Colleagues

It has been more than a year since Matt Lauer was fired from the “Today” show due to sexual misconduct in the workplace. Despite the sexual harassment allegations, Lauer has reportedly remained in contact with several of his NBC colleagues.

Since Lauer’s termination from the network, anchors like Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Willie Geist have revealed they are still friends with the disgraced journalist. In a recent interview, the 61-year-old’s former co-worker, Kathie Lee Gifford revealed why she chose to keep in touch with Lauer after his scandal.

“I’ve been through very, very hard times in my life and I saw my friends drop away because they weren’t my friends. Times like that test the mettle of friendships. The Matt I love is the Matt I still do,” she told People magazine.

Gifford revealed it wasn’t in her nature to cut Lauer out of her life after the sexual harassment allegations surfaced. “He made mistakes and he paid dearly for them. But I believe in second, third and 100 chances,” she explained.

“I believe in redemption because Jesus did. And it’s not for me to judge any choices he made. That’s between him, his wife and his God. My job is to be his friend and be there for him. He’s found out who his real friends are.”

Since Lauer was fired from “Today,” there have been reports claiming his marriage to Annette Roque would end in divorce. Following the scandal, the couple has not commented on the state of their relationship and has kept a low profile.

As Lauer continues to deal with the aftermath of the sexual harassment allegations and rumors about his imminent divorce, Gifford remains committed to supporting her friend.

“I was texting him last week and praying for him this morning. That’s what a friendship means to me,” she said.