Phylicia Rashad on Cosby: 'Forget These Women' Was a Misquote

Phylicia Rashad said she was misquoted as saying people should “forget these women” when asked to respond to the recent rape allegations against her Cosby Show co-star Bill Cosby. She gave her first televised interview on the issue on Wednesday and what she had to say to clear up the misquote was not any better. Not at all.

Rashad appeared on ABC’s World News Tonight with David Muir, to discuss the Cosby allegations and clear up her position. “What has happened is declaration in the media of guilt without proof,” she said.

As for telling everyone we should just “forget” the more than 20 women who have come forward with allegations against Cosby (including three more who spoke to the media today), Rashad said the quote was not correct.

“That was a misquote,” she told ABC correspondent Linsey Davis. “That is not what I said. What I said was this is not about the women. This is about something else. This is about the obliteration of legacy.”

When asked if she thought her statements were dismissive, she responded “I am a woman. I would never say such a thing.” But she pretty much just did, so…..????

“I had never heard that before,” she responded when asked about when she learned of allegations Cosby drugged and raped women. “I can’t even speak to those things and don’t want to.” In case you think your eyes deceived you, yes Claire Huxtable just rolled her eyes at rape allegations.

Oh Phylicia. It is ABSOLUTELY ABOUT “THESE WOMEN.” It’s about all women, period. That’s why this story is so important. More than 20 women were reportedly attacked by a man they were led to believe was a kind and trusting father figure because of his fucking “legacy.” Then they could never get justice for it because of the culture of celebrity worship around him, one blindly evangelized, even in the light of mounting questions and concerns, by people like Rashad. If Cosby’s legacy is being obliterated, it’s not the fault of the women he allegedly attacked. It’s his fault for raping those women in the first place.

But guess what! None of that matters because according to Rashad, this is all a result of a vast conspiracy of people who want to destroy Cosby. That’s right, Claire Huxtable is a Cosby Truther. This is Cosghazi. (#wakeupsheeple !!!) OK but who is behind all this? The media? Jealous comedians? Feminazi Lizard People Freemasons?

“That’s my question, too,” she said.

You can seem more of the interview with Rashad on Nightline tonight at 12:35 a.m. ET and again tomorrow morning on Good Morning America at 7 a.m. ET. Watch the full segment of this portion below or here.