Sexual Harassment Scandals, Fleeing Advertisers
After more than a week of advertisers fleeing his show, Bill O’Reilly Tuesday night suddenly and unexpectedly announced he will be taking a vacation, telling viewers he’ll return April 24. But the embattled Fox News host, embroiled in alleged sexual harassment scandals, may not be returning at all, according to the man who literally wrote the book on Roger Ailes. The former Fox News Chairman and CEO was allowed to resign after allegations and lawsuits charging sexual harassment over his two decades at the network he created.
New York Magazine’s Gabriel Sherman, who blew the Roger Ailes scandal wide open, reported Tuesday night on O’Reilly’s decision to take a vacation, saying, “according to four network sources, there’s talk inside Fox News that tonight’s show could be his last. Lawyers for the law firm Paul, Weiss, hired last summer by 21st Century Fox to investigate Roger Ailes, are currently doing a ‘deep dive’ investigation into O’Reilly’s behavior. They’re focused now on sexual harassment claims by O’Reilly guest Wendy Walsh after she reported her claims via the company’s anonymous hotline.”
Walsh, represented by attorney Lisa Bloom, made the call and posted the video to YouTube.
The New York Times this week reported “Walsh said Bill O’Reilly broke a promise to make her a network contributor when she declined an invitation to his hotel suite in 2013.”
“Fox News co-president Bill Shine has been working hard to keep O’Reilly, sources said,” Sherman continues. “But O’Reilly’s future is in the hands of the Murdochs. ‘It’s up to the family,’ the senior Fox News staffer said. The Murdochs are presently divided over how to handle it. Two highly placed Fox News sources say 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch would like O’Reilly to be permanently taken off the air, while his father, Rupert, and older brother, Lachlan, are more inclined to keep him. (A spokesperson for the Murdochs declined to comment.)”
That was the situation during the nearly week-long period before Ailes left Fox News, meaning the odds aren’t good for O’Reilly. Almost two weeks ago The New York Times broke the news O’Reilly and Fox News had paid five women about $13 million after they accused him of sexual harassment and related issues.
Some responses via Twitter:
RELATED:
WATCH: Bill O’Reilly Laughs Over United Passenger Being Dragged Off Plane
Five Women Reportedly Received $13M for Bill O’Reilly Harassment Claims From O’Reilly, Fox
To comment on this article and other NCRM content, visit our Facebook page.