Megyn Kelly is still waiting to get back to work with her new NBC gig, but she’s now talking about her reasons for leaving Fox News, where she held a prime spot and was one of the more popular personalities on the network.
According to a new report, Kelly left, in part, because of Bill O’Reilly. His behavior became too much.
Back in November, O’Reilly appeared on “CBS This Morning” and made some comments that Kelly took offense to.
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?”
A good place for you, Billy, as it seems misogyny is pretty much written into the job contract with Fox.
Kelly emailed Fox executives to point out how O’Reilly’s comments could possibly intimidate other women who were being harassed.
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.
O’Reilly just paid $13 million to five different women who accused him of sexual harassment on the job, and so far, 90 sponsors have pulled spots from his top-rated Fox News program, “The O’Reilly Factor.”
He claims he paid just to get the cases over, in order to protect his children from the negative publicity.
One of those children he’s trying to protect, by the way, is the daughter who testified in court during his divorce proceedings that she saw him choking her mom.
He lost both of his children in the divorce.
O’Reilly is on vacation from his show now, and some are speculating that he may not be back.
As for Megyn Kelly, I get it.
While I’m far from a feminist, I absolutely get the frustration of working with arrogant, wannabe-bullies that try to intimidate with their “maleness.”
I’ve also worked in male-dominated jobs my entire adult life and I’ve gotten really used to answering their bluster with a smirk and a hearty, “So what?”
You should try it. It’s quite freeing.
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