
Good riddance!
By Liza Walter — Written on Apr 19, 2017
Photo: Salon

When you think of Bill O’Reilly, you almost immediately think of Fox News. The two have been inextricably linked for two decades as his show has been the No. 1 cable news program for the network for years.
Popular with right-wing conservatives, Bill O’Reilly (host of The O'Reilly Factor) often lacks political correctness and really doesn’t give a flying cow who he offends, which is precisely what brings in the ratings and subsequently the billions in revenue.
Fox, however, hasn’t had a good year: Roger Ailes, former chairman of the network was dismissed amid a sexual harassment scandal and now it appears the tower that Bill O'Reilly is standing on is toppling.
At the time of the Ailes situation, the company stated that it does not tolerate behavior that, “disrespects women or contributes to an uncomfortable work environment.”
And now, according to 21st Century Fox, Fox News' parent company, Bill O'Reilly is FIRED!
In a statement issued today, Fox News said:
“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."
Fox News sources: Tucker Carlson at 8pm, The Five moves to 9pm. Starting Monday 4/24.
— Gabriel Sherman (@gabrielsherman) April 19, 2017
Internal 21CF memo signed by Rupert, Lachlan and James says (1/2)
— Gabriel Sherman (@gabrielsherman) April 19, 2017
"we want to underscore our consistent commitment to fostering a work environment built on the values of trust and respect." 2/2
— Gabriel Sherman (@gabrielsherman) April 19, 2017
Here are 5 reasons why Bill O'Reilly was fired:
1. Sexual harassment allegations piled up.
I represent a new woman who just phoned in a complaint of sexual and racial harassment against Bill O'Reilly to the Fox News hotline.
— Lisa Bloom (@LisaBloom) April 18, 2017
According to attorney Lisa Bloom, Bill O'Reilly made inappropriate comments toward an African-American clerical worker. Bloom spoke to The Hollywood Reporter and had this to say, "He would never talk to her, not even hello, except to grunt at her like a wild boar ... He would leer at her. He would always do this when no one else was around and she was scared ... She’s not asking for any money ... She just wants them to know her story ... She was afraid if she told him to knock it off she’d get fired ... Now that’s she's aware this is all in the news, she’s decided to phone in a complaint to the Fox News hotline."
2. Fox had already paid out $13M to other women who claimed sexual harassment.
Bill O'Reilly and Fox pay $13m settlements to five women https://t.co/n8ufQgYWdY
— Maggie Kaigler (@newsgirl123456) April 5, 2017
In a New York Times article published on April 1, 2017, it was revealed that Fox and Bill O'Reilly paid $13M to the women who accused O'Reilly of sexual harassment in exchange for keeping it on the down low.
In a statement to the New York Times, 21st Century Fox said:
“21st Century Fox takes matters of workplace behavior very seriously. Notwithstanding the fact that no current or former Fox News employee ever took advantage of the 21st Century Fox hotline to raise a concern about Bill O’Reilly, even anonymously, we have looked into these matters over the last few months and discussed them with Mr. O’Reilly. While he denies the merits of these claims, Mr. O’Reilly has resolved those he regarded as his personal responsibility. Mr. O’Reilly is fully committed to supporting our efforts to improve the environment for all our employees at Fox News.”
3. More than 50 advertisers pulled their ads from The O'Reilly Factor.
JUST IN: Jenny Craig now joins the extensive list of companies pulling ads from "The O'Reilly Factor" https://t.co/41WGcYwUkJ pic.twitter.com/hG07uSmewa
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) April 5, 2017
Advertisers like Advil, H&R Block, Jenny Craig, and Mercedes-Benz pulled their ads from Fox after the sexual harassment allegations started to build steam. Companies didn't want their products associated with Bill O'Reilly.
4. Rupert Murdoch was pushed by sons to let O'Reilly go.
Bill O'Reilly 'out at Fox News after Rupert Murdoch is pressured to fire the host by his two sons' https://t.co/5RHHaZNzLL
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) April 19, 2017
Executive chairman of 21st Century Fox, Rupert Murdoch had every intention to keep O'Reilly, however his sons, James and Lachlan, were advocating for his dismissal.
Lachlan Murdoch wasn't always against O'Reilly but his wife apparently pushed him to the other side, convincing him that O'Reilly had to go.
5. President Trump called O'Reilly a 'good person.'
NYDailyNews (Donald Trump and Bill O'Reilly)
So I'm pretty sure that Donald Trump had nothing to do with Bill O'Reilly's firing, but it is consistent with Trump to side with other men who have been accused of sexual harassment, which he himself has been accused of several times over.
In an interview with the New York Times, President Trump said of O'Reilly:
Related Stories From YourTango:
"I think he shouldn't have settled; personally I think he shouldn't have settled ... Because you should have taken it all the way. I don't think Bill did anything wrong."
And of course, Twitter had a field day with the news:
FOX NEWS: Bill O'Reilly has been fired for doing what we elected Donald Trump for
— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) April 19, 2017
Bill O'Reilly was on Fox for decades making bank while harassing countless women. Now he gets a multi-million buyout. Because Patriarchy.
— Sean Kent (@seankent) April 19, 2017
Goodbye Bill O'Reilly. You'll always be the epitome of a dystopian sci fi horror News Anchor to me.
— Josh Rosen (@JoshRosen1) April 19, 2017
Bill O’Reilly's vacation is going pretty bad so far. To top things off, he's flying home United.
— Abe Yospe (@Cheeseboy22) April 19, 2017