Katie Couric Blasts ‘Exploitive’ Matt Lauer

Katie Couric condemned Matt Lauer as just another powerful showbiz figure who “used their power in an exploitative and unacceptable way” — months after insiders reported that she'd conspired with the disgraced host to return to "Today!"

Katie made the remarks in a forum addressing sexual harassment in the news industry, telling Sharon Waxman during the SXSW Convention: “I certainly dealt with sexist environments and environments...but it’s hit very close to home with Matt Lauer and what happened there” — adding: “I hope he’s trying to figure out and understand his behavior, and why he did it and why it was so wrong.”

But even though Katie threw her old partner under the bus, insiders told The National ENQUIRER that Lauer had been fired from "Today" while conspiring with Katie to bring her back to the show — despite Ann Curry speaking out to say that she'd "be surprised if many of the women [on "Today"] did not understand there was a climate of verbal harassment that existed."

Lauer and Katie were apparently scheming to retake control of the troubled show in the wake of Megyn Kelly's disastrous debut — with spies reporting that the two were seen having an intense conversation at Manhattan’s Elio’s restaurant just two weeks before Lauer was abruptly fired over multiple reports of sick sexual harassment.

“They would be willing to share the spotlight if it means bringing ‘Today’ back to the top of the heap,” said a source at the time. Shortly afterwards, it was announced that Katie was returning to NBC to host the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Olympics in South Korea. But while the source claimed that Katie knew she "could drive Megyn out the door," she's now having to make any plans without Lauer at her side.