In a “personal note” posted Saturday, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams says he will take himself off the air.
The note read:
In the midst of a career spent covering and consuming news, it has become painfully apparent to me that I am presently too much a part of the news, due to my actions.
As Managing Editor of NBC Nightly News, I have decided to take myself off of my daily broadcast for the next several days, and Lester Holt has kindly agreed to sit in for me to allow us to adequately deal with this issue. Upon my return, I will continue my career-long effort to be worthy of the trust of those who place their trust in us.
The move comes after days of controversy surrounding Williams’ account of a helicopter crash in Iraq. For more than a decade, Williams has told viewers, celebrities, and other news makers, he was in a helicopter that was hit by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) in Iraq. He said after the helicopter crashed, a soldier rescued him and his crew.
Williams apologized Wednesday night and said he did not accurately remember the story. Instead, Williams said he was actually on a helicopter that arrived at the crash site later.