Mel Tucker has made several notable public statements since the sexual misconduct allegations against him became public, and most people asking “what did Mel Tucker say” are referring to those.

Core statement about the allegations

When Michigan State University suspended him in 2023 over allegations by sexual assault awareness advocate Brenda Tracy, Tucker issued a formal written statement through his attorney. In that statement, he essentially said:

  • He adamantly denied that he sexually harassed Tracy, calling her allegations “completely false.”
  • He said they had an “intimate, adult relationship” that he claimed was mutual and consensual , not harassment.
  • He acknowledged the April 2022 phone call where he masturbated, but said Tracy did not object during the call and did not cut off contact with him or the program afterward.
  • He argued that she raised objections only after a scheduled presentation to the team was postponed, implying that the complaint was connected to that postponement.
  • He characterized the upcoming university hearing as “a sham” and “ridiculously flawed,” saying the process was not designed to find the truth.
  • He claimed the investigation was unfair and biased , and suggested Michigan State might have an “ulterior motive” tied to its desire to distance itself from the Larry Nassar scandal or because of his race or gender.

Brenda Tracy publicly responded that his statement was “more of the same DARVO, deflection, victim blaming and lies,” and said she believed he was trying to avoid participating in the hearing.

What Michigan State later said and his response

A later hearing officer’s finding at Michigan State concluded Tucker violated the school’s sexual misconduct policy , and the school said his interactions with Tracy brought “public disrespect, contempt and ridicule” on the university and were grounds for firing him with cause.

Tucker, through another statement, said the university’s decision and process were “fraught with countless factual and legal errors” and reflected a “biased and completely dysfunctional” system, signaling his intent to appeal and possibly sue.

Recent legal fight and how he’s framing it now

In ongoing litigation over his firing and the loss of roughly $80 million remaining on his contract, Tucker argues that:

  • Michigan State violated his due process rights as a public employee.
  • He was treated differently than white employees, amounting to racial discrimination , and that the university weaponized media coverage to justify firing him for cause.
  • He claims the school engaged in “bad faith conduct” intended to “destroy” his career and avoid paying his contract.

MSU counters that his claims lack merit and that it followed the contract procedures, saying the simplest explanation for his firing is his “own acknowledged misconduct.”

Quick recap (TL;DR)

When people ask “what did Mel Tucker say,” they’re usually referring to his public defense against the sexual harassment allegations:

  • He says he and Brenda Tracy had a consensual, intimate relationship and that her harassment claims are “completely false.”
  • He calls the MSU process “a sham,” “ridiculously flawed,” and “fraught with countless factual and legal errors.”
  • He claims the university is biased, may be motivated by race or the Nassar fallout, and is acting in bad faith to avoid paying his contract.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.