Ousted Fox News host Bill O’Reilly on Monday evening apologized to fellow former Fox News host Eric Bolling for mentioning the death of Bolling’s son while attacking the media for reporting on sexual harassment allegations.
Apologies to Eric Bolling and prayers for him and his family. The message I tried to send was that allegations harm kids. Nothing more.
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) October 23, 2017
Eric Bolling is a stand up guy who deserves the respect I have for him.
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) October 23, 2017
Following a report in the New York Times over the weekend revealing that O’Reilly reached a $32 million settlement with a Fox News analyst who accused the former Fox host of sexual harassment and misconduct, O’Reilly has been on a tear. He has lashed out at the media, claiming that news outlets are out to get him.
He also criticized the media for hurting the families of those accused of harassment, bringing up the death of Bolling’s son — Bolling’s son died hours after Fox News announced Bolling would leave the network after sexual harassment allegations.
“I urge you to think about what you put in your newspaper. Eric Bolling’s son is dead,” O’Reilly told the New York Times. “He’s dead because of allegations made — in my opinion and I know this to be true — against Mr. Bolling.”
Bolling quickly called out O’Reilly for bringing his son’s death into the situation.
“I believe it is beyond inappropriate for anyone to bring in the tragic death of my son Eric Chase Bolling,” he said in a statement to the New York Times.