After three weeks of being in the headlines, Bill O'Reilly is officially gone from Fox News following the backlash of his sexual harassment scandal. In response, various Hollywood celebrities decided to voice their thoughts across social media.
Hollywood on Fox News
It all started when the New York Times released a bombshell article earlier this month that sent shock waves through the Fox News Channel, while altering the career of one of their biggest talents in the process. The report revealed that Bill O'Reilly had been accused of sexual harassment dating back almost 15 years ago, with at least five women making the allegations.
In an attempt to keep the story out of the public eye, O'Reilly reached a settlement with the women to the tune of $13 million. Once the story broke, sponsors began pulling their ads from "The O'Reilly Factor." Over 50 sponsors have pulled out as of this week, putting financial pressure on the network to make a move. The story didn't quiet down, as protests started taking place outside the network's headquarters in New York City, with the Murdoch family being pushed to take action. According to The Hill, O'Reilly has been forced out by Fox News, which led to massive trolling across Twitter on April 19.
JUST IN: Bill O'Reilly out at Fox News https://t.co/B9C1xbj7Dm pic.twitter.com/nuivA3KmDq
— The Hill (@thehill) April 19, 2017
Instantly on Twitter, Bill O'Reilly was mocked and trolled over his departure from Fox News, with many celebrities chiming in.
"New book by FOX News: Killing Bill O'Reilly," author Stephen King tweeted out. "So I'm walking down the street one day, O'Reilly drives by, screeches to a halt, jumps out & starts yelling @ me. Ha!" filmmaker Michael Moore wrote on his feed, while posting a picture of the Fox News host yelling at him.
New book by FOX News: Killing Bill O'Reilly.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) April 19, 2017
So I'm walking down the street one day, O'Reilly drives by, screeches to a halt, jumps out & starts yelling @ me. Ha! pic.twitter.com/8Iu5TACQP4
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) April 19, 2017
"Cheer up Bill O'Reilly - there are still many companies that would love to hire you," comedian John Fugelsang wrote on his Twitter account, before delivering the punchline, adding, "I mean, no companies that employ women, but still." Singer Cher also gave her thoughts, and she didn't hold back one bit.
"3 FAMOUS OLD MEN…ROGER AILES, BILL O’REILLY,& DONALD TRUMP HAVE SEXUALLY HARASSED WOMEN 4 YRS,TWO GOT FIRED,& ONE WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT‼️" she tweeted.
Cheer up Bill O'Reilly - there are still many companies that would love to hire you.
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) April 19, 2017
I mean, no companies that employ women, but still.
3 FAMOUS OLD MEN…ROGER AILELS,
— Cher (@cher) April 19, 2017
BILL O’REILLY,& DONALD TRUMP HAVE SEXUALLY HARASSED WOMEN 4 YRS,TWO GOT FIRED,& ONE WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT‼️
Writer and producer Andrew Goldstein also added his thoughts, tapping into his time on the WWE creative team back in 2006.
"The RASSLIN' way to book this Bill O'Reilly story: Spicer steps down as press secretary and 'wait a minute, is that? That's Bill O'Reilly!'" he wrote.
The RASSLIN' way to book this Bill O'Reilly story: Spicer steps down as press secretary and "wait a minute, is that? That's Bill O'Reilly!"
— Andrew Goldstein (@AngeGold) April 19, 2017
Moving forward
Currently, the details of Bill O'Reilly's ousting at Fox News are not known, though the network has announced a shake-up. Tucker Carlson will not move into the 8 p.m. time-slot previously occupied by "The O'Reilly Factor," with "The Five" being bumped up to the 9 p.m. hour.