Bill O’Reilly Walks Out on Firing Line Interview When Asked About Sexual Harassment Settlements
Firing Line‘s Margaret Hoover’s interview with Bill O’Reilly came to an abrupt end when the PBS host’s line of questioning turned to the allegations of sexual harassment against him.
According to Mediaite, the sit-down — which was pre-taped on Tuesday for Friday’s Firing Line — became contentious when Hoover grilled the former Fox News star about the alleged $32 million that was paid out to women who accused him of sexual harassment during his tenure at the conservative news network. (O’Reilly was fired from Fox News in 2017 after The New York Times went public with the settlements.)
Author @BillOReilly discusses his new book, the presidency, and the state of conservative media.
But what does he say when @MargaretHoover questions him about sexual harassment settlements at @FoxNews?
TONIGHT 8:30 pm ET@PBS listings: https://t.co/yjV9uYyL5J pic.twitter.com/HotBfNZovG— Firing Line with Margaret Hoover (@FiringLineShow) September 20, 2024
After reportedly refusing to answer Hoover’s questions about the settlements, O’Reilly — who was on Firing Line to promote his new book, Confronting the Presidents — accused his onetime O’Reilly Factor guest of conducting an “ambush interview” before threatening legal action if she aired footage of their tense exchange. “If you’re going to use that stuff, you’re in for a problem,” he allegedly told her. “My attorney is going to be watching.” O’Reilly then walked out of the interview.
Why should @BillOReilly have a platform when the women who accused him of sexual harassment don't have that opportunity?
"I don't know anything about what opportunities anybody has," he says. "All I know is that I deliver an honest program and I write books people want to read." pic.twitter.com/vAy4SxjpnX— Firing Line with Margaret Hoover (@FiringLineShow) September 20, 2024
In a statement to Mediaite, Hoover said, “It’s disappointing that Bill O’Reilly, knowing he would be asked, has not reflected on how the settlements involving him and several women have affected their ability to earn a living in media again, even as he continues to, in his words, ‘flourish’ in independent media.’ This is my seventh year hosting Firing Line, and Bill O’Reilly was the first guest on the program who didn’t formally finish the interview through the ‘goodbyes.’ Clearly, he was uncomfortable fielding questions related to the sexual harassment allegations that are a significant part of his legacy. I also gave him the opportunity to comment on legislation intended to give victims of sexual harassment additional legal power and the evolution of workplace culture, and he declined.”
Mediaite reports that O’Reilly’s lawyer has sent “a legal demand” to PBS’ parent company WNET.
O’Reilly’s episode of Firing Line, meanwhile, is scheduled to air tonight. Watch the full episode here:
