Sarah Silverman on Louis C.K. allegations: 'Can you love someone who did bad things?'

Last week, The New York Times published a story in which five women accused Louis C.K. of sexual misconduct. Soon after the story came out, Louis C.K. released a statement admitting “these stories are true.”

Some of Louis C.K.’s friends and collaborators have responded to these allegations with shock and disappointment. Sarah Silverman, for one, was asked to comment on the situation, and she addressed it in a somber monologue that kicked off Thursday’s episode of her Hulu show I Love You, America.

She began her statement by clarifying she’s still processing everything. “One of my best friends of over 25 years, Louis C.K., masturbated in front of women, he wielded his power with women in f—ked-up ways,” she said. “Sometimes to the point where they left comedy entirely. I could couch this with heartwarming stories of our friendship and what a great dad he is, but that’s totally irrelevant, isn’t it? Yes, it is. It’s a real mindf—k. Because I love Louie. But Louie did these things. Both of these statements are true. So I just keep asking myself, can you love someone who did bad things? Can you still love them?”

Silverman concluded by saying she could “mull that over later, certainly, because the only people that matter right now are the victims.”

“They are victims, and they are victims because of something he did,” she said. “So I hope it is okay if I am at once very angry for the women he wronged and the culture that enabled it and also sad because he’s my friend. But I believe with all my heart that this moment in time is essential, it’s vital that people are held accountable for their actions no matter who they are. We need to be better. We will be better. I can’t f—king wait to be better.”

Watch the monologue and the rest of the episode via Hulu above.