On Wednesday afternoon, 21st Century Fox, the parent company of Fox News, announced that Bill O’Reilly will not be returning to the network.
After a series of sexual harassment allegations surfaced revealing the seasoned cable news host as the true predator he really is, Fox tried to come to his defense before finally forcing him out.
The statement from 21st Century Fox reads:
‘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.’
The O’Reilly Factor is the most watched show on Fox News, and just saw some of its highest ratings since its inception. Although many of O’Reilly’s fans are likely butt-hurt over his departure, many people are ecstatic to see him go, and were barely able to contain their excitement.
Here are some of the best reactions to O’Reilly’s dismissal:
The No Job Zone pic.twitter.com/NGTcuS0ojX
— Ben White (@morningmoneyben) April 19, 2017
Maybe Trump can hire him to be his National Director of Sexual Predators.
— SaveThePlanetXO (@Savetheplanetxo) April 19, 2017
It is Christmas in April! First we learned Chaffetz will not be running for re-election, and now we learn Bill O'Reilly is fired!
— Christopher Bouzy (@cbouzy) April 19, 2017
Ah, Bill O'Reilly how we will not miss you…
Your xenophobic, misogynistic, racist rants..
Your skewing facts for your agenda..
Quieted now— Tony O (@FlowsDownHill) April 19, 2017
— curt ashley (@ashleytmp7) April 19, 2017
I heard he is a finalist as the bus driver for the Access Hollywood travel bus. Trump had a contact to get him an interview!
— Steve Sabo (@billboardguy72) April 19, 2017
Please, God ,let @seanhannity be next to go. I would go back to watching FOX if that happens.
— Harry Joachim (@HarryJoachim) April 19, 2017
Wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Trump puts O'Reilly in his administration….like Press Secretary
— Nancy Pennelli (@ResistTrump8) April 19, 2017
FOX NEWS: Bill O'Reilly has been fired for doing what we elected Donald Trump for
— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) April 19, 2017
3 FAMOUS OLD MEN…ROGER AILELS,
BILL O’REILLY,& DONALD TRUMP HAVE SEXUALLY HARASSED WOMEN 4 YRS,TWO GOT FIRED,& ONE WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT‼️— Cher (@cher) April 19, 2017
An investigation by The New York Times revealed that Fox News and 21st Century Fox had stood by O’Reilly’s side as several women came forth with allegations of sexual harassment. Ultimately, the revelations about O’Reilly cost the news network millions of dollars as advertisers such as BMW and Allstate pulled their ads in an effort to force Fox to reprimand O’Reilly for his behavior.
O’Reilly’s departure follows Fox News founder, former Chairman, and CEO, Roger Ailes, who was forced to resign in July after several women accused him of sexual misconduct.
As for what O’Reilly had to say for himself?
In a statement released Wednesday morning, he said it’s “tremendously disheartening” to have to leave Fox News over “completely unfounded claims”:
‘Over the past 20 years at Fox News, I have been extremely proud to launch and lead one of the most successful news programs in history, which has consistently informed and entertained millions of Americans and significantly contributed to building Fox into the dominant news network television. It is tremendously disheartening that we part ways due to completely unfounded claims. But that is the unfortunate reality many of us in the public eye must live with today. I will always look back on my time at Fox with great pride in the unprecedented success we achieved and with my deepest gratitude to all my dedicated viewers. I wish only the best for Fox News Channel.’
Feature Image via Getty Images.