November 2, 2018

Donna's Rice Hughes' statement on The Front Runner movie
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, November 2, 2018

GREAT FALLS, VA – The following statement was released by Donna Rice Hughes following today’s People Magazine article and soon-to-be released film, The Front Runner:

"For the past 31 years, various parts of my story have been told and retold in books, news stories, television documentaries, and now in a major motion picture, but not by me. The Front Runner is Senator Hart’s story, not mine.  The film ends where the trauma in my life began, after my name was released to the press by the Hart campaign. The ensuing feeding frenzy was driven by the mainstream media, who, for the first time in the 24/7 news era, went both feral and viral. While I had no involvement in the film, I am grateful to film director Jason Reitman for portraying my character in a sensitive and compassionate light, and to the talented Sara Paxton for her compelling performance.  I am also humbled by the kind public comments about me that have been made by the director and members of the cast.  

The film is a dramatic representation based on the book, All the Truth is Out. However, all the truth is not out, as I have never told my own story. I have chosen to remain silent, for the most part, about this devastating turning point in my life. Rather than exploit the situation for my own gain, I chose the high road and sought to use my pain to help others. By the grace of God, I found healing and restoration and eventually came full circle. For the past 25 years, I have fought to prevent the sexual exploitation of children in the digital world through my organization, Enough Is Enough^®. I am now at a point in my life where I believe it is the right time to share my life’s journey, in my words and in my way, and am currently working on my memoir. In the meantime, I encourage others to seek the high road, as I did, and find hope and purpose in the midst of their life's storms."