We are living in a time when even the offensive remarks by a celebrity aren’t allowed to slide, where past transgressions come roaring back to life, demanding to be acknowledged. And yet, in all these years, the fact remains that Ben Affleck has never been held accountable for brazenly groping a young actress on live TV and trying to pass it off as a “joke,” especially when the memory still haunts her.
And evidently, Affleck didn’t feel the need to apologize and acknowledge his disgusting actions at the time because, if you remember, the actor’s on-air appearances looked rather like this.
During an appearance on TRL (Total Request Live) on MTV in 2003, Affleck was caught on camera groping actress Hilarie Burton‘s breast and joking about it. In her early 20s at the time, the One Tree Hill actress had no choice but to play along awkwardly.
Of course, Affleck felt no remorse or the need to apologize to Burton for emotionally and psychologically scarring her. The early 2000s weren’t exactly the time when men, especially powerful and influential men like The Flash actor, were held accountable for their actions and made to answer for their choices.
No, it was not until 2017 when Affleck, like many of his peers, publicly condemned Harvey Weinstein in the wake of his scandal and the #MeToo movement. But this presumed action of goodwill only managed to rile up the few who remember how he assaulted Burton, who co-hosted the TRL show with the actor back then, and had the nerve to joke about it. But no one ever held him accountable, as everyone forgot it ever happened.
What further forced Affleck to finally address what happened was Burton herself responding to the backlash by responding how she “didn’t forget.” She remembers how she was “just a kid,” but had to “laugh back then so I wouldn’t cry.”
At this point, Affleck found it better to offer a simple, massively delayed apology.
I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) October 11, 2017
But the apology meant nothing since the actor only chose to offer one because a) he was called out about it and b) he didn’t want to get steamrolled in the then-raging #MeToo movement.
Why are you apologising 14 years later, didn't you realise it was wrong 14 years ago? Or 10? Or 5? Or last year? Only now you're called out?
— Dan Bull (@itsDanBull) October 11, 2017
You're apologizing Bc you got caught. Not because you care. Fuck off
— valerie complex (@ValerieComplex) October 11, 2017
At the time, Affleck was already juggling another controversy – his statement disparaging Weinstein made it seem like he had no prior knowledge of the disgraced mogul’s actions. But in a fiery tweet, Rose McGowan accused the actor of lying and took to Twitter (now X) to bash his post. “‘GODDAMNIT! I TOLD HIM TO STOP DOING THAT’ you said that to my face. The press conf I was made to go to after assault. You lie,” she wrote.
How did ALL that never get the attention it should have gotten? Part of the reason is the #MeToo movement, as people were more focused on the big-name abusers (like Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K., etc) with bigger crimes at the time. Also, Burton didn’t pursue it further in interviews or legal channels, plus Affleck’s PR worked wonders. He came out with frank admissions of alcoholism and rehab, which ensured that his life struggles dominated the narrative, and the media coverage pivoted to sympathizing with the actor.
So yes, Affleck assaulted a woman and walked away scot free with a lame apology 14 years later.
