Over the last 24 hours, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly was exposed for having paid off at least five different women who accused him of sexual assault. The source of the story stems from an article in the New York Times, and now Hollywood celebrities and others are reacting to the news.
Hollywood on O'Reilly
In a bombshell piece released by the New York Times over the weekend, at least five different women were reportedly paid off by Bill O'Reilly who was accused of various acts of sexual assault. The report says it "suggests a pattern" with O'Reilly, who allegedly used his clout at Fox News to "pursue sexual relationships" with women at the network.
The allegations date back to the early 2000s, with a total settlement payment adding up to $13 million. The backlash quickly resulted in speculation that the netowork could lose sponsors, which was evident when Mercedes-Benz announced on Monday that they were pulling their ads from the "The O'Reilly Factor." As seen across Twitter on April 3, Hollywood stars and other social media users were quick to lash out.
Looks like Bill O'Reilly's next on the scaffold, and I'm popping Champagne! Fox watchers turn a blind eye to predators; no morality at all.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) April 4, 2017
i'd like to thank trump and bill o'reilly for making sure i remain extremely aware of sexual assault this sexual assault awareness month
— Erin 🎶Gloria🎶 Ryan (@morninggloria) April 3, 2017
"Looks like Bill O'Reilly's next on the scaffold, and I'm popping Champagne!" legendary actress Better Midler wrote on her Twitter account on Monday night, before adding, "Fox watchers turn a blind eye to predators; no morality at all." "I'd like to add my name to the list of people sexually harassed by Bill O'Reilly," comedian John Cleese wrote, before adding, "Apparently you can get 2 million even if nothing happened." Cleese caught heat for his tweet, but then clarified in a second message.
"My thanks to all my Twits who have explained my O'Reilly joke I'm afraid I've never aimed my humour at the literal minded.Apologies to them," he wrote.
I'd like to add my name to the list of people sexually harassed by Bill O'Reilly.
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) April 2, 2017
Apparently you can get 2 million even if nothing happened
My thanks to all my Twits who have explained my O'Reilly joke
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) April 2, 2017
I'm afraid I've never aimed my humour at the literal minded.Apologies to them
"After paying $13m to settle Bill O'Reilly's sexual harassment suits, is any amount of sexual harassment just too much for Fox News?" actor George Takei wondered on Twitter.
In a follow up social media post, Takei continued to rip into the Fox News host. "Another day, another sexual harassment suit against Fox News," Takei tweeted out, while noting, "This tells us about the leadership there--whom they value and whom they don't."
After paying $13m to settle Bill O'Reilly's sexual harassment suits, is any amount of sexual harassment just too much for Fox News?
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) April 1, 2017
Another day, another sexual harassment suit against Fox News. This tells us about the leadership there--whom they value and whom they don't.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) April 3, 2017
Next up
While Hollywood celebrities and others are taking time to mock Bill O'Reilly, it's unknown whether or not the scandal will impact his future with Fox News.
CNN reported on Monday that O'Reilly's current contract is set to expire at some point in 2017, but it's unknown if he has signed an extension. The time of the scandal couldn't be worse for the network or O'Reilly as Donald Trump, who has his own history of allegations of sexual assault, named April "Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month."
