Megyn Kelly Says Bill O'Reilly Is Why She Is Leaving Fox News And Sexual Harrasment At Fox

Megyn Kelly Says Bill O'Reilly Is The Reason She Is Leaving Fox News And Sexual Harrasment At Fox

Megyn Kelly left Fox News in part due to O’Reilly: report. Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly’s departure from the network was partially inspired by the behavior of colleague Bill O’Reilly, according to a new report.

Kelly was frustrated by O’Reilly’s criticism of her for publicly discussing sexual harassment she experienced at Fox, The New York Times reported Friday.

The Times said Kelly sent an email to Fox executives complaining about O’Reilly’s behavior during his appearance on “CBS This Morning” in November. O’Reilly criticized Kelly for discussing how former Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes allegedly sexually harassed her in a book she released the same day as his interview. Ailes left the network in July amid several several sexual harassment claims against him and a lawsuit from former anchor Gretchen Carlson. “Look, it’s open season,” O’Reilly said when asked about Kelly’s claims. “Let’s whack the Fox News Channel. I’ve had enough of it. It’s a good place to work. All right?”

Four people with knowledge of Kelly’s reaction said she sent an email to Fox executives warning them of the intimidating impact O’Reilly’s remarks might have on women who had faced harassment.

O’Reilly delivered a second public scolding later that evening despite reportedly knowing of Kelly’s email and an “O’Reilly Factor” producer pleading with him not to mention the issue. “If you don’t like what’s happening in the workplace, go to human resources or leave,” O’Reilly said on his prime-time show.

Two people familiar with Kelly’s thinking told the Times she left Fox for NBC News in January partially due to O’Reilly’s behavior and how her former network handled it. Reports emerged earlier this month that five women accusing O’Reilly of sexual harassment received a total of $13 million for agreeing not to pursue litigation or talk about their accusations. Over 90 companies have pulled their ads running during “The O’Reilly Factor” amid widespread outrage over the allegations. O’Reilly’s Behavior Said to Have Helped Drive Megyn Kelly Out at Fox. Last fall, in the weeks after 21st Century Fox struck settlements with two women who said that Bill O’Reilly had sexually harassed them, the Fox News host went on morning television and offered a harsh assessment of women who had come forward with complaints about the network.

“Look, it’s open season,” he said, visibly irritated, when asked about a recently published book by Megyn Kelly, his colleague at the time. In the book, Ms. Kelly provided an account of being sexually harassed by Roger Ailes, the network’s former chairman. Later Mr. O’Reilly added, “Let’s whack the Fox News Channel. I’ve had enough of it. It’s a good place to work. All right?”

The comments set off a media firestorm and frustrated Ms. Kelly, who sent an email to Fox News executives complaining about his behavior and the chilling effect it could have on women at the company and beyond, according to four people with knowledge of the email who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters.

Despite Ms. Kelly’s complaint, and a plea from a producer that Mr. O’Reilly not be allowed to make similar remarks on his prime-time show, Mr. O’Reilly delivered a second public scolding on the program that night. “If you don’t like what’s happening in the workplace, go to human resources or leave,” he said.

That experience, along with a deep skepticism about whether the network was truly committed to changing its culture after Mr. Ailes was forced out, was a factor in Ms. Kelly’s decision to leave Fox News for a new role at NBC News, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Her departure was a major blow to Fox News. Ms. Kelly was viewed as the network’s star of the future, and the Murdoch family, which controls 21st Century Fox, Fox News’s parent company, was prepared to pay her more than $20 million a year.

Representatives for Fox News and Ms. Kelly declined to comment. Mr. O’Reilly and Mr. Ailes.

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