A bombshell story broke over the weekend that exposed Fox News host Bill O'Reilly of paying off five women who accused him of sexual assault. After the news went pubic, a major sponsor pulled their ads from the host's show.
Factor trouble
It's no secret that Fox News has been embroiled in constant controversy in regards to allegations of sexual assault and harassment, most notably from former CEO and network founder Roger Ailes. While Ailes has been the highest-profiled individual associated with the sexual assault allegations, it's the host of "The O'Reilly Factor" that is now in the crosshairs.
According to a Sunday report from the New York Times, Bill O'Reilly paid off five women in the total amount of $13 million in a series of settlements stemming from claims that the Fox News host assaulted them. In the aftermath of the news, The Hill reported on April 3 that a top sponsor to the show has decided to pull out.
Mercedes-Benz pulling ads from "The O'Reilly Factor" https://t.co/zXNkHOB9tZ pic.twitter.com/JcKyjMyZOp
— The Hill (@thehill) April 4, 2017
In an interview with BuzzFeed on Monday, Mercedes-Benz confirmed that they will no longer advertise on "The O'Reilly Factor." "The allegations are disturbing and, given the importance of women in every aspect of our business, we don't feel this is a good environment in which to advertise our products right now," a spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz said.
In regards to the ads in question, Mercedes-Benz said they will now be "reassigned."
Fox News has stood by Bill O’Reilly despite 5 sexual harassment settlements — including 2 since Roger Ailes left https://t.co/2YkZ99pT0V
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 3, 2017
In response the allegations, Bill O'Reilly's legal team, led by Fredric S.
Newman, released a statement. "We are now seriously considering legal action to defend Mr. O’Reilly’s reputation," the statement read.
Fox braces for fallout from Bill O'Reilly scandal https://t.co/WQ4MfW1GSq pic.twitter.com/wDTBNiS1L6
— CNN (@CNN) April 3, 2017
Next step
Despite the allegations against him, Bill O'Reilly is currently still on the air and is one of the highest rated hosts for the Fox News Channel.
This isn't the first time O'Reilly has had his name in the headlines, as it was just last year when details of his divorce were made public, which included multi-million dollars payments, as well as custody issues involving his daughter. As of press time, Fox News has shown no indication that the host will be taken off the network.
