Healthy skepticism is always good! But I think it's actually worth it to look around the room on this one - the lack of any straight out "this is bullshit, I know Tom and he wouldn't do this, and if I'm wrong I'll eat my crow like a man" statements is very odd. That would usually be the first option in this space when something like this happens, but it hasn't. It's either placating by mentioning it because if they don't they'll look outwardly complicit, or... you know, just saying "there's drama, and we're not talking about it until he responds!" which again is a level of grace I have yet to see given to anyone else. I've heard the "wait for a response" line before, but that never really stops the dogpiling beforehand. I get a lot of these people are "personal friends" of around a decade or so, but... even THEN you would expect a more blatant attempt at damage control! Instead of shaking in a corner saying "haha well I mean we have no evidence there's no real proof haha women am I right haha um haha"
edit: has anyone openly spoken about talking to Tom directly about this? Anyone at all?