Bill O'Reilly, the most popular cable news personality in the country, was dropped by the Fox News Channel today amidst mounting outrage over numerous sexual harassment allegations. 21st Century Fox, Fox News' parent company, said in a statement, "After a thorough and careful review of the allegations, the Company and Bill O'Reilly have agreed that Bill O'Reilly will not be returning to the Fox News Channel."
Email sent to Fox News employees: pic.twitter.com/HfLmIdzm6Y
— Emily Steel (@emilysteel) April 19, 2017
Dozens of advertisers abandoned O'Reilly's signature program, The O'Reilly Factor, after the NY Times revealed that Fox News settled allegations against him from five women for upwards of $13 million. In spite of the pricey settlements, Fox News reportedly renewed O'Reilly's contract; the Wall Street Journal (also owned by 21st Century Fox) wrote, "The recent review of the allegations against Mr. O'Reilly was taken into consideration when the network negotiated a new contract with the anchor, a person familiar with the matter said."
Smiles at @BilldeBlasio's press conference when the press tells him Bill O'Reilly's been fired. Bdb: "chickens are coming home to roost." pic.twitter.com/dnzRpuXaKf
— Matthew Chayes (@chayesmatthew) April 19, 2017
Ultimately, more than 50 advertisers abandoned his show, and various women’s rights groups called for his firing. As recently as yesterday, there were new allegations from women against him (including one African-American Fox News clerical worker who claimed O'Reilly harassed her and called her "hot chocolate"). The growing outcry reportedly led to an internal struggle among the Murdochs, who own Fox. NY Magazine reported, "Sons James and Lachlan have been arguing that O’Reilly needs to go, say these sources, though their father, Rupert, has resisted that outcome."
O'Reilly and his show will be replaced by Tucker Carlson, a man who enjoys bowties and fly fishing in Central Park. (He's also beloved by misogynists and neo-Nazis.)
So now "The Five" will have 6 co-hosts and air at 9 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Ct4Pqe7gnT
— Peter Sterne (@petersterne) April 19, 2017
Rolling Stone has a timeline of O'Reilly's "vileness" in case you need a refresher on all the various accusations that have been hurled at him. You can check out a range of reactions to today's news below.
O'Reilly isn't being fired for what he did. Fox News has known for years.
He's being fired because they'll lose money.
Now they care.— Jordan Uhl (@JordanUhl) April 19, 2017
.@mmfa homepage right now 👌 pic.twitter.com/mfUYiXhm81
— Leanne Naramore (@LeanneNaramore) April 19, 2017
Updated Fox News lineup
8 PM Pepe Frog and Friends
9 PM The Comments Section
10 PM Email From My Dad With the Subject "RE: Re: re: FWD:"— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) April 19, 2017
Given Bill O'Reilly's newfound free time, the female baristas at his local Starbucks might want to look into self defense class.(Allegedly)
— Jim O'Grady (@jimog) April 19, 2017
2002: Bill O’Reilly pressures Pepsi into dropping Ludacris
2017: Ludacris is in the #1 movie in America the day Bill gets fired pic.twitter.com/YhKTl5fxpa— Eric Haywood (@EricHaywood) April 19, 2017
Reminder: Just 2 weeks ago Trump defended O'Reilly as "a good person", said "I don’t think Bill did anything wrong." https://t.co/FcIuo1E7Yk https://t.co/oD5moJZvSX
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) April 19, 2017
Fox News finally fired Bill O'Reilly - about two decades too late.https://t.co/nweI70buFn pic.twitter.com/E7WJxOsgfE
— Caroline O. (@RVAwonk) April 19, 2017
If you want to sexually harass women AND be on Fox News, you have to call in pic.twitter.com/MfB23fEUb4
— Chase Mitchell (@ChaseMit) April 19, 2017
Never forget! Bill O'Reilly wrote a novel about a serial killer avenging his thwarted TV news career. Someone keep an eye on that guy. pic.twitter.com/31idmp0Cre
— Sarah Leonard (@sarahrlnrd) April 19, 2017